Warm-up #7 Why is Tale of Genji an important book? What does it tell us about life in Heian during the Golden Age?

Japanese Culture Lab Visit each of the four stations. Complete the activity at your desk and record your findings on the lab worksheet. Always write in complete sentences.

Haiku Haiku should present the reader with an observation of a natural, commonplace event. Of all the forms of poetry, haiku perhaps is the most demanding of the reader. It demands the reader's participation because haiku merely suggests something in the hopes that the reader will find "a glimpse of hitherto unrecognized depths in the self.” Haiku has three lines, a syllable pattern of 5-7-5, doesn’t rhyme, and usually has a deep meaning or reference to seasons, nature, or Zen Buddhism. An old silent pond... A frog jumps into the pond, splash! Silence again. by Basho (the first famous haiku poet) Over the wintry forest, winds howl in rage with no leaves to blow. - Natsume Soseki Toward those short trees We saw a hawk descending On a day in spring - Shiki Directions: 1)Read the description and examples of poetry below. 2)Write a haiku of your own. 3)Share your haiku with your group. 4)Write your groups best haiku on a sticky and leave it at this station for the rest of the class to read.

Haiku Directions: – Place a sticky note with your groups’ best haiku on this page. – Read the other haikus from the class. – You may leave a comment about your favorite haiku below. Comments:

Zen Garden Lab Activity Steps: – Read the excerpt below. – Design a zen garden as a group. – Draw your creation on your worksheet. – Answer the questions on your worksheet. What are Zen Garden Elements? A Zen garden is a place to relax, achieve harmony and gain a deeper appreciation for nature. The word "zen" denotes meditation and contemplation on the road to enlightenment. Zen gardens have been evolving since the eighth century in Japan. They can provide a sanctuary in your back yard by incorporating some of the traditional elements. Sand and Rocks The raked sand or white or tan granite of a Zen garden contrasts with the surrounding green foliage. Originally the sand purified the ground and made it hospitable to spirits. Raking the sand simulates waves or currents, particularly helpful if your garden does not have a water element. Rocks give your garden dimension and a focal point. They represent mountains and islands, a contrast from the water elements.

Japanese Origami Directions: – Watch the video or read the printed directions. – Use the origami paper to fold your own crane. – Answer the questions on your worksheet. atch?v=es-vMeZy9HA

Female Beauty in Heian Directions – Read the excerpt below. – Use colors to design a noblewoman’s makeup, hair, and outfit according to the characteristics described in the excerpt below. Beauty in Heian Japan, A.D. Japanese Court Ladies' Hair and Makeup By Kallie Szczepanski Szczepanski In Heian-era Japan, a beautiful woman had to have incredibly long hair, layer after layer of silk robes, and an intriguing make-up routine. The women of the imperial court in Heian Japan grew their hair as long as possible. They wore it straight down their backs, a shining sheet of black tresses (called kurokami). This fashion began as a reaction against imported Chinese fashions, which were much shorter and included pony-tails or buns. The record-holder among Heian hair-growers, according to tradition, was a woman with hair 7 meters (23 feet) long!imported Chinese fashions7 meters The typical Heian beauty was required to have a pouty mouth, narrow eyes, a thin nose, and round apple-cheeks. Women used a heavy rice powder to paint their faces and necks white. They also drew bright red rose-bud lips on over their natural lip-lines. In a fashion that looks very odd to modern sensibilities, Japanese aristocratic women of this era shaved off their eyebrows. Then, they painted on misty new eyebrows high on their foreheads, almost at the hair-line. They achieved this effect by dipping their thumbs into black powder, and then smudging them onto their foreheads. Another feature that seems unattractive now was the fashion for blackened teeth. Because they used to whiten their skin, natural teeth ended up looking yellow in comparison. Therefore, Heian women painted their teeth black. Blackened teeth were supposed to be more attractive than yellow ones, and they also matched the women's black hair. The final aspect of a Heian-era beauty's preparations consisted of piling on the silk robes. This style of dress is called ni-hito, or "twelve layers," but some upper class women wore as many as forty layers of unlined silk. The layer closest to the skin was usually white, sometimes red. This garment was an ankle-length robe called the kosode; it was only visible at the neckline. Next was the nagabakama, a split skirt that tied at the waist and resembled a pair of red pants. Formal nagabakama could include a train more than a foot long. The first layer that was readily visible was the hitoe, a plain-colored robe. Over that, women layered between ten and forty beautifully patterned uchigi (robes), many of which were adorned with brocade or painted nature scenes. The top layer was called the uwagi, and it was made of the smoothest, finest silk. It often had elaborate decorations woven or painted into it. One final piece of silk completed the outfit for the highest ranks or for the most formal occasions; a sort of apron worn at the rear, called a mo. It must have taken hours for these noble women to get ready to be seen in court each day.