You may remember Dev from an earlier lesson. He chose Japanese culture as a topic for his research report. Like Amy, Dev is ready to share some of the things he’s learned about a culture other than his own.
Dev decided that at least part of his research report would focus on Japan’s religions and their influence on other aspects of its culture. Read the first few paragraphs of Dev’s rough draft, and look for sentences that point to big ideas about Japanese culture.
Japan is very influenced by religion. Most Japanese people practice Shintoism, Buddhism, or both. The Shinto religion has no founder or holy books. It is based on a belief in Kami, which are spiritual beings that the Japanese believe live in things, like trees.
The other big religion in Japan is Buddhism. According to the AsiaSociety website, Buddhism first appeared in Japan in 552 BC. The Japanese practice Zen Buddhism. Zen means “meditation.” Meditation is very important to Zen Buddhism. Disciples of Zen Buddhism have a close connection to nature. They are trained by a teacher, who has a “heart-mind connection” with them.
Shintoism and Buddhism have influenced Japanese culture in different ways. Shintoism includes four affirmations. Tradition and family values, respect for nature, cleanliness, and honor of the dead and Kami. Zen Buddhism is more about reaching the perfect mental state. A state of enlightenment. These two religions have a huge impact on Japanese culture.
Which two sentences in Dev’s rough draft state big, general ideas about Japanese culture?
Japan is very influenced by religion.
Shintoism and Buddhism have influenced Japanese culture in different ways.
To figure out his report’s big ideas, Dev had to draw conclusions based on the facts that he found while researching his topic. See if you can figure out the kinds of conclusions that Dev drew. Read each set of facts about Japan, and write a sentence that draws a conclusion about Japanese culture. At the end of the activity, compare your answers to the strong sample answers provided.
Some of Japan’s festivals began in China, but now they’re celebrated in Japan, too. Buddhism was brought to Japan from China. (What conclusions can you draw, based on these details?)
Japanese animated cartoons, such as Pokémon, have become very popular in the U.S. Different forms of Japanese dance, such as nihon buyo and kabuki, are commonly performed for American audiences. (What conclusions can you draw, based on these details?)
Japanese graphic novels, or manga, are read by all age groups in Japan. Characters from both manga and anime, Japan’s two animated arts, are celebrated by statues and landmarks throughout the country. (What conclusions can you draw, based on these details?)
Japanese people bow to show their respect for each other. Different types of bows represent different levels of respect. Japanese people work hard to show respect to everyone. (What conclusions can you draw, based on these details?)
| Your Responses | Sample Answers |
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Some aspects of Japan’s culture were introduced or influenced by the culture of a neighboring country, China. |
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Some elements of Japanese culture have influenced American culture. |
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Japanese animated arts are an important aspect of Japanese culture today. |
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Respect is a very important part of Japanese culture. |
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