NATHANIEL LL.

AZUL
3A ENGLISH

JAPAN

1. The Tale of The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, a work of tremendous length and
Genji complexity, is considered to be the world’s first true novel. It traces the life of a gifted
and charming prince.

2. Haikus

3. The aged
mother

I. General Knowledge

A. Instruction: Provide/Enumerate information needed on the list of each subtopic.

Periods/Eras in Japan

1. The Heian Age was the period of peace and prosperity, of aesthetic refinement and

artificial manners. The emperor began to diminish in power but continued to be a

respected figure. Since the Japanese court had few official responsibilities, they were

able to turn their attention to art, music, and literature.

2. The Feudal Era was dominated by the samurai class which included the militaristic

lords, the daimyo and the band of warriors, the samurai who adhered to a strict code of

conduct the emphasized bravery, loyalty, and honor. In 1192 Yorimoto became the

shogun or chief general one of a series of shoguns who ruled Japan for over 500

years.

3. The Tokugawa Shogonate in the late 1500s crushed the warring feudal lords and

controlled all of Japan from a new capital at Edo, now Tokyo. By 1630 and for two

centuries, Japan was a closed society: all foreigners were expelled, Japanese

Christians were persecuted, and foreign travel was forbidden under penalty of death.
The shogonate was ended in 1868 when Japan began to trade with the Western

powers. Under a more powerful emperor, Japan rapidly acquired the latest

technological knowledge, introduced universal education, and created an impressive

industrial economy.

C. If you are to create a PowerPoint presentation, how are you going to present Japanese

Prose and Poetry in a simple but comprehensive way?

 II. AUTHORSHIP
Instruction: Name the author/s of the literary pieces below. Write his/her name on the
space provided before the literary piece.

Matsuo Basho 7. The aged mother

Ryunusuke Akutagawa 6. In the Grove

by Ono Komachi 3. How Helpless My Heart

by Priest Saigyo 2. Every Single Thing

Yoshida Kenko 5. Essays in Idleness

Lady Murasaki Shikibu 4. The Tale of Genji

Sei Shōnagon 1. The Pillow Book

III. Reflection
Instruction: Write your own experience on nature using a haiku. On the space below,
write also your inspiration on your own haiku.

NATURE
Green leaves sway in breeze,
Feeling the sun on my skin,
Nature's warm embrace.

TWO HEARTS

Two hearts beating one,

A love song in perfect tune,
A bond that can't be torn.

Your touch, so gentle and kind,

 Sends shivers down my spine,
My heart beats for you.

Your love, a precious gift,

That I cherish more than life,
My soulmate, my one true love

This haiku describes the feeling of being in love, where two people feel deeply connected to each
other. The poet uses the metaphor of "two hearts beating one" to convey the feeling of oneness that
lovers experience. The poet also uses the word "tune" to suggest the harmony and beauty of love.
Finally, the word "torn" suggests the strength and durability of love.

Criteria
Content: 15pts
Creativity: 15pts
Completeness 10

Total: 40pts.