Social Studies 8: Japan

In the 19th Century, nationalist leaders changed the way people thought about where they lived by reinventing the relationship between government and governed.

The Interactive Timeline of Japan covers main events from the 1500's to the 1800's.

This PBS site presents the history of the isolated Japanese civilization that helped shape the modern world.

For nearly 220 years, Japan lived in relative isolation. Teachers will find primary sources, secondary sources, and activities for their classroom on this site.

As students read this article about the various attempts to control Japan’s external relations, they will learn about the different elements of leadership in Japan. Teacher resources accompany each video

On this site teachers will find translated copies of primary resources from the government of the Tokugawa Shôgunate.

The first episode of a series on the Tokugawa period in Japan. This episode covers the period of Japan's first contact with the West and the consequences of that contact.

This is the second episode of a series on the Tokugawa period in Japan--from the late 16th century through the mid-19th century.

An article that discusses how typical houses in Japan were constructed and decorated in medieval times.

Japan is renowned for it's martial arts -- but did you know that martial arts started in China and were later introduced to Japan?

This essay from The MET discusses the impact of Japanese art on European art after the opening of trade from Japan.

Learn about Japanese dance and theater art, from the streets of seventeenth-century Kyoto. Related Lesson

An article that explains how the drinking of tea became a significant cultural event in Japan