Monday March 26, 2012

Starter: You will learn about the history and culture of medieval Japan. The cultural identity of Japan developed in ways that were directly related to its physical geography. 1. Create a KWL chart; identify what you already know about Japan and what you want to learn. You will return to the KWL chart at the end of the unit and add the key information you have learned.

Geography Challenge Japan 2. Read “Setting the Stage,” Japan during Medieval Times, pages 224 – 225, 3. Complete the Geography Challenge, complete # 1 - # 12, if the question ask you label, label your map, if it ask a question then answer the question

In this unit, you will explore the civilization of Japan from about 500 to 1700 C.E. Japan is located off the coast of East Asia. The country consists of four large islands and about 3,900 smaller ones. On a map, these islands form the shape of a crescent. Together, the Japanese islands make up an area about the size of Montana. Japan’s four large islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Of these, you can see that Honshu is the largest and most centrally located. To the west, the Sea of Japan (East Sea) separates Japan from Korea and China. To the east of Japan lies the Pacific Ocean.

About three quarters of Japan is made up of mountains About three quarters of Japan is made up of mountains. This made farming difficult in ancient and medieval times. The highest mountain in Japan is Mount Fuji on the Pacific coast in central Honshu. Mount Fuji soars more than 12,000 feet and is always covered with snow. It looms above cities, lakes, and farms. On a clear day, Mount Fuji can even be seen from Tokyo, 60 miles away.

Volcanoes are common in Japan Volcanoes are common in Japan. Many of Japan’s mountains are actually volcanoes, and occasionally one of them erupts. Mount Fuji is a volcanic mountain, but it has not had a major eruption since 1707. Earthquakes are also quite common in Japan.

Japan’s mild temperatures and heavy rainfall provide perfect conditions for growing crops such as rice and tea. The Japanese people learned to cut into the mountains to make level areas, or terraces, on which to grow food. They also grew crops in the low valleys between the mountains. The soil was enriched by nutrients that washed down into the valleys from the highlands.

Japan’s mild temperatures and heavy rainfall provide perfect conditions for growing crops such as rice and tea. The Japanese people learned to cut into the mountains to make level areas, or terraces, on which to grow food. They also grew crops in the low valleys between the mountains. The soil was enriched by nutrients that washed down into the valleys from the highlands.

1. Japan extends about 1,500 miles from north to south. At its widest point, it is about 150 miles wide (excluding peninsulas).

2. The distance from Japan to the Asian continent is shortest between Japan and Korea.

3. The Kanto Plain is located on the island of Honshu

5. 15 percent

6. The bodies of water surrounding Japan protected it from invasion by hostile countries. They also served as a plentiful food source. The oceans also served as transportation routes to other countries

8. The United States lies to the east of Japan, across the Pacific Ocean.

9. It is likely that the island of Honshu became a center of power, because it is the largest of the Japanese islands, the most centrally located, and it has less mountainous territory than the other islands.

10. Advantages include the protection from attack provided by the oceans and the availability of food in the oceans. Disadvantages include volcanic eruptions and earthquakes and the lack of flat land for farming.

11. The Kanto Plain is the most populated area in Japan because it is the largest lowland area. In addition, its soil is fertile.

12. Mountains and oceans no longer are a significant barrier to the movement of people, goods, and ideas. Modern forms of transportation, including planes and ships, allow people and goods to move easily and rapidly. Technologies such as the Internet and cellular devices allow communication to take place immediately between any two places on Earth.