The Samurai, the famous worriers of
medieval Japan, have been the subject of many films and novels but who exactly
were they? How and why did they rise to prominence? What role did they play in
Japanese society? What was their philosophy of life? In order to be able to
write about these and other similar questions, you will need to do some
research and make some notes. It is suggested that you spread your research out
over 3 days.
Research schedule
On day 1: listen to the first
buzzle article and read the first text. Make notes on both. In the evening,
watch the documentary.
On day 2: listen to the
second buzzle article and read two more texts. Make notes on both
On day 3: listen to the last
buzzle article and read the last text. Make notes on both. Then collect all
your notes and write your essay at once without waiting. Working in this way
will mean that you learn a lot of vocabulary and structures really thoroughly
so be patient while doing your research.
Structures you will need to use.
- The past tenses
- The passive forms of the above
- Used to; if you have covered it
- Adjective clauses and their reduced forms if you have covered them
- ‘What’ clauses if you have covered them
- Prepositions of place and direction
Suggested plan
- In your introduction, discuss the need for armies and soldiers in general. Then bring the discussion round to medieval Japan and the famous worrier class of the period, the Samurai
- In your development, discuss the way of life and social role of the Samurai. Use your notes and based on them, decide how many paragraphs you need.
- In your conclusion, make a restatement or explain that although the age of the Samurai has ended the need for soldiers and armies has not
Listen
and follow:
- “Japan and the Samurai warrior” http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/2-19-2004-50744.asp
- “Glint of steel – the Samurai sword” http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/12-13-2004-62882.asp
- “History of the Samurai” http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-samurai.html
Reading
material to annotate
·
“Samurai” http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2127.html
·
“Ten fascinating facts about
the Samurai” http://listverse.com/2013/08/06/10-fascinating-facts-about-the-samurai/
·
“Brief history of the Samurai” http://www-personal.umich.edu/~malokofs/SCA/Persona/History/samurai.html
·
“ Samurai and Bushido” http://www.history.com/topics/samurai-and-bushido
(This superb
text also includes a number of videos you will enjoy watching)
·
“The age of the Samurai” http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/japan_1000ce_samurai.htm
Documentary to watch and
make notes on
·
“Samurai” http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-samurai/
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