Class: World Cultures - Literature/History
Unit Title: Tale of the Heike - Book 11
Lesson Title: Chapter 11
Time Allotment: 3 class periods (40-50 minute periods)
Objectives: Students will…
Learn about the three major events of Book 11 and their significance in the Tale of the Heike
They will gain a deeper understanding of the main concepts of the book
Specifically shifting sympathy, loyalty, superstitions in Japan, and karma
Essential Question/Big Idea:
The end of the Taira. The imperial line is killed off and we see a shift of power between the Minamoto and the Taira. One of the main things to keep in mind for this lesson is how quickly the reputation and power of the Minamoto is stripped for them once they lose the battle.
Vocabulary:
Kyukutsu
Yabusame
Katsura
Seppuku
Hitaitare
Imperial Regalia
Yamata no Orochi
Izumo
kagura
Materials & Resources:
Computer/projector
Powerpoint presentation (teacher can create as they see fit)
Notebook/writing tools
Computers for student use
Copy of The Tale of The Heike, Royall Tyler translation
Photocopies of relevant sections in Book 11 for students to highlight and take notes
The Tale of the Heike web resource created by the class of Dr. Elizabeth Oyler
Any additional websites or books that describe Buddhism in Heian Japan (example: https://www.ancient.eu/article/1080/buddhism-in-ancient-japan/)
Instructional Procedures/Activities:
Overview:
Unit summary: The reading for Book 11 will be split into major events that occurred in the chapter and within that the most important themes. The lectures for the Unit: Book 11 will focus on these four events: The prelude to the battle, so the preliminary shots and the fan scene, second the drowning of Antoku, and finally the major purges that occurred. The main themes to focus on this week are karma, superstition, and switching allegiance.
Lesson: Book 11
Lesson One/Day One:
Prelude to the Battle,
Yoshitsune vs. Kajiwara,
Archery,
The Fan, Omens Before Battle: Cock Fight, hitting the fan correctly
Switching Allegiance: Kondoroku, Awa and Sanuke, Tanzo
Day 1:
The students will go over any assignments and questions from episodes 1-5. Students will be given guiding question for the next episodes: 6-12 to help them along with reading and make sure they will have read the chapters
The students will be given the remainder of the time to research these concepts and submit responses to the teacher for review. These will be graded for completion. The students are then asked to research and answer these additional questions, which will be given as a homework assignment in addition to the reading:
Lesson Two/Day Two:
Supernatural Elements: The number 8, location names, events
Gods and Emperors: The Imperial Regalia, Susanoo and Orochi
Superstition and Divine Providence
Events: The Drowning of Emperor Antoku (Ep. 9)
Reversal of what is proper
Today students will focus on episodes 6-12 and there will be a brief discussion of what they thought the main takeaways from this section were. There will be a short discussion regarding the
homework assignment from the previous lesson. Using student responses, the instructor will guide discussion of supernatural elements and imperial regalia. These are the two main topics for today’s lesson. In this lesson, we will look over various pictures what the imperial regalia possibly looked like and its lasting impact and significance on Japanese culture.
A close reading of Episode 9 is necessary to understand the full impact of this chapter. This is one of the most important scenes of the battle and we will watch videos on recreations of this scene. This will be heavily led by discussion s each student will be asked to write a discussion question for the class.
Lesson Three/Day Three:
Fallout of the Battles: Karma, Akashi Shore Procession
Purges: Death of Munemori, Shigehira, Fukusho
Shifting Sympathy: Who do we root for? Is it so black and white?
Relationship between Yoshitsune and Yoritomo and how this will effect the future relationship.
This day will focus on several death scenes and the end of the Taira line. The three main deaths to focus on in this chapter are Menumori, Shigehira, and Fukusho. In this section we also discuss the significance of how each person died and what occurred right before they died, mainly how they handled it. The main themes to remember in this section are shifting sympathy and the loss of the Taira power. We will also focus a good portion of the discussion on the procession along the shore.
Assessment – Formative & Summative:
Informally, instructor will gage student comprehension through response to questions posed throughout lecture. Formal assessment will be conducted with reading quizzes as well as a comprehensive exam.
Closure/Follow-Up/Homework:
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the wealth of information on the web resource published by the class of Dr. Elizabeth Oyler, which offers maps, additional images, research tips, links to other sites, a glossary, episodes summaries, interactive activities, essays, and other pertinent information.