Early Japan
• The Legendary Past: The Age of the Gods [Reading]
Introduction to the creation myths of Japan. Contains a paraphrased version of these myths as told in the Kojiki and the Nihongi. These legends have been important to Japanese religion, historical consciousness, and national identity. Includes discussion questions for students.

Classical Japan
• The Constitution of Prince Shôtoku [Reading]
Primary-source reading including the text of Prince Shôtoku's Seventeen-Article Constitution, written in 604 AD With a small-group activity and discussion questions.

Medieval Japan
• Khubilai Khan's Lost Fleet Found in Japan [Reading]
A primary-source reading that includes an article from The New York Times on the recovery of treasures from the Mongol expeditions that failed to conquer Japan in 1274 and 1281. Includes questions for further discussion and research.

Tokugawa Japan
• Unifying and Governing Early Modern Japan: Edicts of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the Early Tokugawa Shôguns [Reading]
An introduction to and excerpts from official edicts written by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the military unifiers of Japan and by the early Tokugawa shôguns. The edicts reveal concerns about both domestic and foreign affairs in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

• The Four Classes [Reading]
Excerpts from a text written by Tokugawa Ieyasu (the first Tokugawa shôgun) defining the roles of warrior, farmer, artisan, and merchant.

• Bushidô: The Way of the Warrior [Reading]
Includes three readings: Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai, (written by a young warrior in the eighteenth century); an essay on "The Tale of the Forty-Seven Rônin" (story based on a historical event); commentary on the "The Tale of the Forty-seven Rônin" by the author of Hagakure. Includes discussion questions.

• The Prosperous Merchant [Reading]
Discussion of a quote by Mitsui Takatoshi, the Tokugawa merchant who founded the Mitsui empire. With questions.

Modern Japan
• Commodore Perry and Japan [Reading]
On July 8, 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States Navy, commanding a squadron of two steamers and two sailing vessels, sailed into Tôkyô harbor aboard the frigate "Susquehanna" and forced Japan to enter into trade with the United States. This unit examines that historical exchange with an introductory essay and the following primary-source readings:
~ Letter of United States President Millard Fillmore to His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Japan (November 13, 1852)
~ Letter of Commodore Perry to the Emperor (July 7, 1853)
~ Letter of Commodore Perry in Connection with the Delivery of a White Flag (July 14, 1853)

• The Meiji Restoration and Modernization (1868-1930) [Reading]
In 1868 the Tokugawa shôgun ("great general"), who ruled Japan in the feudal period, lost his power and the emperor was restored to the supreme position. The emperor took the name Meiji ("enlightened rule") as his reign name; this event was known as the Meiji Restoration. This unit examines that historical moment with an introductory essay and the following primary-source readings:
~ The Charter Oath of 1868
~ The Meiji Constitution of 1889

• The Atomic Bomb [Reading]
Includes the following:
~ background essay: The Decision to Use the Bomb (discussing some of the events that preceded the U.S. dropping of the atomic bomb, and presenting some of the questions left about the necessity and results of the bombing; discussion questions included)
~ primary-source reading: Report of the Interim Committee on Military Use of the Atomic Bomb (May 1945)
~ primary-source reading: Report of the Franck Committee on a Non-Combat Demonstration of the Atomic Bomb (June 1945)
~ primary-source reading: The Potsdam Declaration (June 26, 1945)
~ student exercise (in-class debate)