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Set up and Outline

At each estate (4 sets)

1 pair of scissors
“rice” print outs
Sword blade instructions
Blank paper for swords
Colored pencils
Tape

At Palace

Soda
Chips
Gold tokens

At Training Grounds

Chairs
Targets
Paper balls

Step 1: emperor to throne, all bow except Shogun. Shogun then takes crown
Step 2: Shogun sends everyone to their locations.
Step 3: work
Step 4: buying/selling
Step 5: prep for attack/attack

1 Emperor

1 Shogun

4 Daimyo

5 Samurai

4 “Ninja” Farmers

8 Artisans

12 Farmers

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Samurai Training Grounds

The Palace

Ashura Estate

Boshugan Estate

Daisuke Estate

Chibi Estate

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Ashura Estate

Boshugan Estate

Chibi Estate

Daisuke Estate

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Map

Ashura

Boshugan

Chibi

Daisuke

Samurai Training Ground

Throne

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Emperor

Background Information: You are the emperor. While you are officially the ruler of Japan you, in fact, have very little power. You are seen, however, as the religious leader of your country. The gods chose you to lead your people spiritually. Unfortunately, since you do not control the army you must follow the orders of the Shogun. Still, you live a very simple and pleasant life. You will be taken care of by the lower classes. Throughout this activity you will sit back and watch your people work.

Step 1: Slowly rise and walk to the your throne. Take a seat, put on your crown, and begin to enjoy the provided items. When the Shogun comes to you follow his/her directions. You must continue to follow his/her directions for the entire activity.

Journal 1: How did you feel when you found out you were Emperor? How did you fell when the Shogun overpowered you?

Step 2: When the Shogun steps in front of you to speak mock him/her by sticking out your tongue, putting bunny ears on them, or making faces at them. Remain seated and do not let him/her see you. When the Shogun steps back behind you say “Ya, do whatever he said.”

Journal 2: How does it feel to have to do nothing and just listen to the Shogun?

Step 3: Go find a peasant and order them to cut out your gold pieces for you. You may not be able to rule the country but you can still rule them!

Journal 3: How did it feel to order the peasants around?

Step 4: It is time to visit your people and receive their tribute. Go to each estate and collect each food token and sword blade. Do not accept them if they are not neat. Instead, throw them on the ground and say “This is an insult to my honor!” very loudly. Take the neat ones back with you to the palace.

Journal 4: Did you reject any of the tribute items? Why or why not?

Step 5: Return to the throne and try to convince the samurai there to protect you instead of the Shogun.

Journal 5: Were you able to convince the samurai to protect you? What happened during the attack?

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Shogun

Background Information: You are the Shogun which means “Great General.” You are the military and political leader of Japan. Your clan has attained power through military conquest. You are very wealthy and the true ruler of Japan. You let the emperor stay in his position as religious leader of Japan but you are truly in control. Throughout this activity you will be giving orders to your people.

Step 1: Do nothing until the emperor sits down on the throne. When he/she does get up and walk to the throne. Loudly proclaim “As the leader of the samurai I name myself Shogun! Hand over your crown.” Then take the crown and stand behind the emperor.

Journal 1: Why do you think you had the power to take the crown even though you weren’t the emperor?

Step 2: Step in front of the emperor to make your proclamations. Loudly announce:

“I will lead our land to greatness. My brothers, I name you as Daimyos. Pledge your loyalty to me.” Wait for them to give their pledge then give them one of the 4 estate tokens.

After passing out the tokens announce to everyone:

“My cousins I name you samurai, go to your training grounds. Peasants go to your estates and earn your honor.” Then step back behind the emperor.

Journal 2: Why do you think the Shogun would give the best jobs to his family members?

Step 3: Watch your people work. Feel free to take some of the emperor’s chips and candy.

Journal 3: Did you take any of the emperor’s items? Why or why not?

Step 4: Travel around to your four estates and see how well they are working. Choose the one you think is doing the best work and reward their daimyo with a gold token (take it from the emperor). Go to the samurai training grounds and choose a samurai to be your personal protector. Bring him/her back with your to the throne.

Journal 4: How did you decide which group was doing best? How did you decide which samurai to take?

Step 5: Prepare for an attack. Feel free to hide behind the emperor.

Journal 5: Describe the results of the attack.

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Daimyo

Background Information: You are a clan leader known as a daimyo. You were hired to organize and manage an estate in Japan. Your job is to earn as much gold as possible for your estate. You must be very careful though as surely assassin’s will want you killed.. Throughout the task you will be making sure everyone at your estate is working.

Step 1: Bow down and do not make a sound when the emperor rises to take the throne. Cheer loudly when the Shogun takes the crown.

Journal 1: Why do you think the Daimyo would cheer loudly for the Shogun but remain silent for the emperor?

�Step 2: Quickly go to the palace and kneel before the Shogun – not the emperor! When he/she tells you to pledge your loyalty touch his/her shoe and say:

“Thank you my lord. I promise to serve and protect you. It is my honor to give you my loyalty.”

Then go sit on top of the desks at the estate you are given.

Journal 2: How did it feel to bow down and speak a loyalty oath to the Shogun? Explain.

Step 3: Make sure all of your people are sitting in the right place (farmers in chairs, artisans on floor) and give them their supplies. As they work monitor the work of your farmers and artisans. Order them to fix any mistakes – your honor is at stake!

Journal 3: How did it feel to order your peasants around?

Step 4: Collect completed food tokens and sword blades from your peasants. Your emperor will come by and accept your offering. You will receive 1 gold for every 3 completed food tokens and 1 gold for every completed blade.

Journal 4: Did you feel right taking food and weapons from your people even though you didn’t do the work? Explain. How did it feel to have your items rejected by the emperor?

Step 5: Prepare yourself for the upcoming attack. It may come from anywhere. Watch out for ninjas!

Journal 5: Describe the final attack. What happened to you and your estate?

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Samurai

Background Information: You are a respected warrior known as a samurai. You were born into a noble family and have trained your entire life to be a soldier. You are not officially bound to any estate, however, your strong personal sense of honor means you would not abandon any one you have promised to protect. You demand the respect of the peasants and any who don’t show it properly may feel the cold touch of your blade across their neck. Throughout the activity you will be training for battle.

Step 1: Bow down and do not make a sound when the emperor rises to take the throne. Cheer loudly when the Shogun takes the crown.

Journal 1: Why do you think the samurai would cheer loudly for the Shogun but remain silent for the emperor?

Step 2: Quietly watch the loyalty oaths. When the Shogun tells you to go to the training grounds bow to him/her then quietly get a horse (a chair) from the stable and take it to the Samurai Training Grounds. Sit on your horse facing the practice wall. Practice your archery skills by throwing paper balls at the targets.

Journal 2: Why do you think the Daimyo said an oath to the Shogun and not the emperor?

Step 3: Time for mental practice. Write a haiku about how powerful or good-looking your Shogun is.

Journal 3: Why do you think samurai spent time practicing poetry?

Step 4:You sense a battle is coming. Take your horse and go join the estate of your choice. Each estate may have only one samurai. When you arrive make sure the peasants all greet you with the honor you deserve. Help plan the defense of your estate.

Journal 4: You did not say any loyalty oath. Why do you think the samurai followed the commands of their leaders even without an oath?

Step 5: Your time has come to earn your honor. An attack is coming. Ready yourself for battle and glory.

Journal 5: Explain the results of the battle. Did you properly defend your estate? Explain.

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Farmer (Ashura)

Background Information: You are a farmer – a member of the peasant class. While you are a peasant you are somewhat respected. Thanks to Japan’s Confucian values farmers are seen as important as they provide the needed food for all others. However, you are still a peasant. Throughout this activity you will be farming rice for your daimyo. If you meet any samurai be sure to show them honor.

Step 1: Bow down and do not make a sound when the emperor rises to take the throne.

Journal 1: How did you feel when you saw someone take power from the emperor?

Step 2: Do nothing until the Shogun gives his/her instructions. When instructed go to the Ashura estate, sit down, and begin farming by coloring your rice tokens. Rice tokens will only be accepted if they are neatly colored. You are a respected member of the peasant class so you may sit in a chair.

Journal 2: How does it feel to get to sit in a chair while others sat on the floor? What do you think that represented?

Step 3: Continue farming. Chant “Amida Buddha” while you work.

Work quickly but with honor. Make sure your tokens are all neat and ready for harvesting.

Journal 3: Did you take time to do a good job on your farming? Why or why not?

Step 4: Use the tools provided by your daimyo to cut out (harvest) your rice tokens. Give them to the daimyo. Begin arranging the desks of your estate so everyone can fit inside for safety. When your samurai arrives bow down respectfully to him/her.

Journal 4: Why was it important to have a daimyo to provide you with tools for harvesting?

Step 5: Get down inside your estate. You will be relying on your samurai to protect you.

Journal 5: Describe the results of the attack. What happened?

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Farmer (Boshugan)

Background Information: You are a farmer – a member of the peasant class. While you are a peasant you are somewhat respected. Thanks to Japan’s Confucian values farmers are seen as important as they provide the needed food for all others. However, you are still a peasant. Throughout this activity you will be farming rice for your daimyo. If you meet any samurai be sure to show them honor.

Step 1: Bow down and do not make a sound when the emperor rises to take the throne.

Journal 1: How did you feel when you saw someone take power from the emperor?

Step 2: Do nothing until the Shogun gives his/her instructions. When instructed go to the Boshugan estate, sit down, and begin farming by coloring your rice tokens. Rice tokens will only be accepted if they are neatly colored. You are a respected member of the peasant class so you may sit in a chair.