• Nara and Heian Japan (710 AD - 1185 AD) [About Japan: A Teacher's Resource]
An overview of Japan's Nara and Heian periods. Discusses the Fujiwara family, their private estates, and the rise of the warrior.

• Heiji Monogatari Emaki (Tale of the Heiji Rebellion) Scrolls - "A Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace" [Princeton University]
The Heiji disturbance, which occurred late in 1159, represents a brief armed skirmish in the capital. One faction, led by Fujiwara Nobuyori, in alliance with the warrior Minamoto Yoshitomo, staged a coup. In the scene depicted here, they surrounded the palace, captured the sovereign, placed him in a cart and then consigned the structure to the flames. Even though Nobuyori and Yoshitomo were triumphant here, they later suffered defeat and death at the hands of their rival Kiyomori...After the Heiji disturbance, Taira Kiyomori gained influence as a trusted advisor to the retired emperor, Go-Shirakawa. He launched his own coup some twenty years later, which unleashed a civil war, known commonly as the Genpei Wars (1180-85). One of Yoshitomo's sons, Minamoto Yoritomo, triumphed in this campaign, and consigned Taira Kiyomori's relatives to death or exile. Yoritomo established the Kamakura bakufu, which provided judicial and policing authority for its followers, known as housemen (gokenin) from 1185 until 1333. // The Heiji scrolls date from the thirteenth century and represent a masterpiece of "Yamato" style painting. They can be documented as being treasured artifacts in the fifteenth century, when nobles mention viewing them, but they now only survive in fragmentary form. The scene appearing here, entitled "A Night valuable depiction of Japanese armor as it was worn during the early Kamakura era (1185-1333). By contrast, most surviving picture scrolls showing warriors date from the fourteenth century and show later styles of armor...The scrolls read from right to left, and all action flows to the left. A few people hurrying flow into a confused throng of warriors and nobles, epitomized by a wayward bystander being crushed by an ox cart. Out of the confusion, attention shifts to the palace...Continued on site.

• The Legends of Hachiman [Smith College Museum of Art]
From protector of the imperial house, to protector of the Minamoto military house, to protector of the nation, the legend of the Shinto deity, Hachiman, evolved throughout Japanese history...During the Heian period, Hachiman became the protector of the Minamoto military house when the clan adopted Hachiman as their clan deity (ujigami)...Minamoto Yoritomo (1147-1199), who would defeat the Taira clan in the Gempei Wars (1180-1185), a victory that was attributed in no small part to Hachiman’s divine protection. The appropriation of Hachiman by the Minamoto clan is seen in multiple instances in the Japanese war epic that describes the Gempei War, Tales of Heike. The site provides background on the scrolls, suggestions for viewing a handscroll, and questions for discussion.

• The Age of the Samurai (1185-1868) [Asia for Educators]
A guide to the samurai governments that ruled Japan from 1185 to 1868. With discussion questions.

• Kamakura and Nanbokcho Periods (1185-1392) [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
A short introduction, with images of seven artworks in the museum's collection.

• Muromachi Period (1392-1573) [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
A short introduction, with images of six artworks in the museum's collection.

• Japan's Medieval Age: The Kamakura & Muromachi Periods [About Japan: A Teacher's Resource]
An in-depth look at political, economic, cultural, and religious life during the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.

Lesson Plan • A Case Study of Medieval Japan through Art: Samurai Life in Medieval Japan [Program for Teaching East Asia, Center for Asian Studies, University of Colorado]
"The samurai warrior has come to symbolize Japan's medieval period of social and political unrest that lasted from the late twelfth to late sixteenth centuries. Working with artistic renderings of the samurai as well as cultural artifacts of samurai life, students recognize the complex, complementary aspects of the samurai culture that developed during this period. Students consider this more nuanced view of the samurai as they take on the role of advisors to a director hoping to make an authentic film about Medieval Japan." An in-depth introductory essay and lesson plan, with images, focusing on the Kamakura (1185-1333), the Muromachi (1336-1573), and the Momoyama (1573-1603) shogunates.

• "Relics of the Kamikaze" [Archaeology]
An excellent article about the discovery and excavation of Khubilai Khan's 13th-century invasion fleet off the coast of Takashima. With a map and several images. From the January/February 2003 issue of Archaeology magazine.

• Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions (Annotated) [Princeton University]
This site allows you to view individual scenes depicting the Mongol Invasions of Japan. Takezaki Suenaga, a warrior who fought against the Mongols in both 1274 and 1281, commissioned scrolls recounting his actions. This unique record of the invasions, and important eyewitness account, was heavily damaged in the ensuing centuries – according to lore they were even once dropped into the ocean! By the time of their rediscovery in the eighteenth century, the scenes and text of the scrolls were scattered into separate sheets. See also the partner site Mongol Invasions of Japan - 1274 and 1281 - this web site is devoted to understanding the Mongol Invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281. The failure of the invasions gave rise to the notion of the "divine wind" or Kamikaze, although an exploration of the invasions reveals that the Japanese defeated the Mongols with little need of divine, or meteorological intervention.

• The Legends of Hachiman [Smith College Museum of Art]
"This particular pair of lavishly ornamented handscrolls illustrates the legends of the Shinto deity Hachiman [whose 'popularity ... increased after the thirteenth century when Japan was attacked by Mongol forces in 1274 and 1281']. The paintings, which date to the mid-seventeenth century, are rendered in the yamato-e style favored by the members of the Tosa school to which they are attributed. Both the painting and the calligraphy exemplify the highly refined styles favored by the court at the start of the Edo period (1615-1868)." With background information on Shinto and Hachiman and viewing a handscroll.

Also see the Video Unit on Medieval Japan in the History-Archaeology section (Kamakura and Muromachi Periods) for more about the Mongol invasions of Japan.

Shinran, 1173-1263, founder of the Jodo Shinshu (The True Teaching of the Pure Land)
Primary Source w/DBQs • Shinran's Lamentation and Self-Reflection [PDF] [Asia for Educators]

• Ox-Herding: Stages of Zen Practice [ExEAS, Columbia University]
The ten ox-herding pictures and commentaries presented here depict the stages of practice leading to the enlightenment at which Zen (Chan) Buddhism aims. The story of the ox and oxherd is an old Taoist story, updated and modified by a twelfth-century Chinese Buddhist master to explain the path to enlightenment.

Dôgen Zenji, 1200-1253, founder of the Soto Zen sect
Primary Source w/DBQs • Dôgen's How to Practice Buddhism (Bendôwa) [PDF] [Asia for Educators]

Nichiren, 1222-1282, founder of the Nichiren sect
Primary Source w/DBQs • Nichiren's Rectification for the Peace of the Nation (Risshô Ankoku Ron) [PDF] [Asia for Educators]

Also see the Video Unit on Medieval Japan in the History-Archaeology section (Kamakura and Muromachi Periods) for more about the Buddhist sects in medieval Japan.

Minamoto Yoritomo, 1147-1199, and the Kamakura Bakufu
Primary Source w/DBQs • Selected Documents of the Kamakura Bakufu [PDF] [Asia for Educators]

Ashikaga Takauji, 1305-1358
Primary Source w/DBQs • The Kemmu Shikimoku (Kemmu Code) [PDF] [Asia for Educators]

Imagawa Sadayo (Imagawa Ryôshun), 1325-1420
Primary Source w/DBQs • Articles of Admonition by Imagawa Ryôshun to His Son Nakaaki [PDF] [Asia for Educators]

Asakura Toshikage, 1428-14851
Primary Source w/DBQs • The Seventeen-Article Injunction of Asakura Toshikage [PDF] [Asia for Educators]

Primary Source • The Tale of the Heike [Asia for Educators]
The Tale of the Heike recounts the struggle for power between the Taira (or Heike) and Minamoto (or Genji) houses in the late twelfth century. With the Taira's defeat in 1185 and the establishment of a new warrior government by the victorious Minamoto, the medieval age began. From this war tale, we can learn much about life in Japan during this transitional period and about warrior culture. With discussion questions.

Also see the "War Tales" section of the Video Unit on Medieval Japan in the History-Archaeology section (Kamakura and Muromachi Periods) for more about the Tale of the Heike.

Primary Source • An Account of My Hut [Asia for Educators]
Excerpts from this famous essay written in 1212, in which the author, Kamo no Chômei describes his own road to becoming a Buddhist monk. With discussion questions.

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

Primary Source • Essays in Idleness [Asia for Educators]
Short excerpts from Essays in Idleness. With a brief historical introduction and exercises for students.

Video Unit • Kenkô's Essays in Idleness and Japanese Aesthetics [Asia for Educators]
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.

• The Forms of Japanese Drama [Asia for Educators]
A brief description of the four major dramatic forms that came out of Japan's medieval period: Noh, Kyôgen, Kabuki, and Bunraku. Followed by a classroom exercise for students.

• Noh Drama [Asia for Educators]
This unit begins with a short introduction to Noh, the oldest surviving form of Japanese theater. Also includes a description of two recommended play ("Atsumori" and "Sotoba Komachi"), followed by classroom exercises for students.

• Noh Costume [The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
An overview of the development of Noh costumes during the Muromachi and Momoyama periods. With ten examples from the museum's collection.

Video Unit • An Introduction to Noh [Asia for Educators]
This video unit on Noh, a dramatic form that originated in Medieval Japan, discusses Noh's history and basic structure, Noh masks, the aesthetics of Noh, and Noh theater today. Featuring Columbia University professors Donald Keene and Haruo Shirane, and Asia Society President Emeritus Robert Oxnam.

• Kyôgen [Asia for Educators]
A short introduction to Kyôgen, the comedic counterpart to Noh. Also includes a description of a recommended play ("Busu"), followed by classroom exercises for students.

• The Way of Tea [Five College Center for East Asian Studies]
Tea Ceremony, or Chado (茶道), is one of the Japanese traditional arts involving ritualistic preparation of tea. Cha (茶) means tea, and do (道) means the way or the path. Thus, Chado is translated as the Way of Tea.… The Way of Tea is composed of a series of acts such as building a fire in the hearth, boiling the water, whisking the green tea powder in a tea bowl, and serving it along with some sweets. Simply put, it is an act in which the host invites the guest to share a bowl of tea together. Indeed, it began as a simple act of making and drinking tea. Over the centuries, however, it was influenced by Zen Buddhism philosophy and became a highly stylized form of art.

• Steeped in History: The Art of Tea [PDF] [UCLA Fowler Museum]

• Tea Traditions [TeachJapan]
A portal for units on tea in Japan developed by Asia Art museums.

• What is Teachable about Japanese Tea Practice? [PDF] [Education about Asia]

Note to Teachers • The journal Education about Asia has many excellent teaching resources on-line on all topics related to East, South and SE Asia.

• Emakimono [Asia Society]
"During the 11th to 16th centuries, painted handscrolls, called emakimono, flourished as an art form in Japan, depicting battles, romance, religion, folktales, and even stories of the supernatural world." A short background essay with a suggested activity for students.

Lesson Plan • A Case Study of Heian Japan through Art: Japan's Four Great Emaki [Program for Teaching East Asia, Center for Asian Studies, University of Colorado]
"Emakimono or emaki, narrative picture scrolls, developed into a distinctly Japanese art form in the Heian period, 794-1185 CE. In this lesson, students examine four emaki masterpieces to analyze the highly refined court culture, politics, and religion in the late Heian period. Working in groups, they then create preview posters for a museum exhibit featuring the four emaki, providing their interpretation of the facets of Heian culture they believe exhibit-goers should learn." Introductory essay and lesson plan with images of picture scrolls from the period.

• Takezaki Suenaga's Scrolls of the Mongol Invasions of Japan [Princeton]
An excellent interactive website with several versions of the recovered 13th-century scrolls commissioned by the Kyushu warrior Takezaki Suenaga, who fought against the Mongols during the invasions of 1274 and 1281. Viewers can compare the "original" (reassembled) 13th-century version to 18th- and 19th-century copies and also see a 21st-century reconstruction of the 13th-century version. Also features an illustrated glossary.

• The Legends of Hachiman [Smith College Museum of Art]
"This particular pair of lavishly ornamented handscrolls illustrates the legends of the Shinto deity Hachiman [whose 'popularity ... increased after the thirteenth century when Japan was attacked by Mongol forces in 1274 and 1281']. The paintings, which date to the mid-seventeenth century, are rendered in the yamato-e style favored by the members of the Tosa school to which they are attributed. Both the painting and the calligraphy exemplify the highly refined styles favored by the court at the start of the Edo period (1615-1868)." With background information on Shinto and Hachiman and viewing a handscroll.

• The Kitano Tenjin Engi Emaki [Timeline of Art History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art]
A multimedia learning website about a 13th-century Japanese handscroll that illustrates the legends of the Kitano Shrine (Kitano Tenjin Engi). Included are a short introduction to the Kitano Tenjin Engi Emaki and images of the scroll.

Find more art-related resources for Japan, 1000-1450 CE
at OMuRAA (Online Museum Resources on Asian Art)