• The Tale of the Heike [Reading]
Introduction to and excerpts from The Tale of the Heike, a war tale from the twelfth century. Discussion questions are included.

• An Account of My Hut [Reading]
Excerpts from this famous essay written in 1212, in which the author, Kamo no Chômei describes his own road to becoming a Buddhist monk. Discussion questions follow.

• An Account of My Hut by Chômei [Audio/Video/Text]
A video unit on the famous 13th-century essay introduced above. Featuring Columbia University professor Donald Keene and Asia Society President Emeritus Robert Oxnam.

• Introduction to Essays in Idleness [Reading]
A one-page historical introduction to Essays in Idleness, a literary work of the period that provides students with a glimpse of the social upheaval accompanying the transition from the aristocratic culture of the Heian court to the samurai-dominated culture and society of medieval Japan.

• Essays in Idleness [Reading]
Short excerpts from Essays in Idleness. With discussion questions.

• Kenkô's Essays in Idleness and Japanese Aesthetics [Audio/Video/Text]
This video unit on Yoshida Kenkô's 14th-century literary work discusses the Japanese aesthetic of simplicity and impermanence. Featuring Columbia University professor Donald Keene and Asia Society President Emeritus Robert Oxnam.