Samurai Book Groups

Global Literature Name: _________________________
The Samurai’s Garden

IMPORTANT: To receive full credit, write the assignment number and letter, and your name on all of your assignments.

All work should be neat and typed (12 pt. font) or neatly handwritten in blue or black ink. Assignments will be stamped on the day they are due. Late work will receive reduced credit. Every assignment is worth 20 points. Students will receive individual grades.

Work will receive grades based on effort (specific references/quotes from the book), creativity (where appropriate) and neatness. Be sure to read instructions carefully. Late work will automatically lose 25%, and then will be graded.

If all work is in and on time on the day it’s due, each group member will receive an additional 2 points. Maximum score possible: 22/20!!! ☺

Even if you are absent, you are still expected to keep up with these deadlines. Plan ahead. If you know you won’t be in class, have someone bring your assignment for you. If you are physically unable to do the assignment and have it turned in on time, it needs a note from a parent, attached to the assignment when you turn it in, in order to receive full credit.

Group members have the right to take on the work of non-participating members from their group and may complete that student’s assignments for extra credit. The non-participating student will need to complete his/her own work and turn it in independently, with a penalty of 5 points.

Assignment One: Samurai’s Garden pp. 1 – 53 Due _________________

____ A. Japanese Gardens (3 parts)

1. Research traditional Japanese gardens. Be sure to use reliable resources (look for “.edu” or “.gov.”)

2. Make sure to find information about the following: What are the elements of the elements of traditional Japanese gardens including karesansui (“dry landscape)? What role do gardens play in traditional Japanese culture? Why are they important? How do people use them? How has the role of gardens changed over time?

3. Write an expository paper answering the questions above. Make sure to use your own words and cite your sources – include in-text citations (in parentheses) for each quote or fact and a list of works cited at the end. One page typed double-spaced minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.



____ B. Leprosy (3 parts)

1. Research leprosy using reliable sources (look for “.edu” or “.gov.”)

2. Make sure to find information about the following: What is it? How is it contracted? Is it treatable? How were lepers treated in Japan, and specifically in Yamaguchi/Tarumi? How are they treated today? Where in the world is leprosy still endemic?

3. Write an expository paper answering the questions above. Make sure to use your own words and cite your sources – include in-text citations (in parentheses) for each quote or fact and a list of works cited at the end. One page typed double-spaced minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.

______ C. Japanese Festivals (3 parts)

1. Research each of these four festivals: Shobun No Hi, Ganjitsu, Setsuban, and Obon. Use reliable sources (look for “.edu” or “.gov.”)

2. Be sure to find information to answer the following questions: When is it held? What is the reason for this festival? What are some of the typical traditional customs related to this festival? How are the festivals typically celebrated today (how have the customs changed over time)?

3. Write an expository paper answering the questions above. Make sure to use your own words and cite your sources – include in-text citations (in parentheses) for each quote or fact and a list of works cited at the end. One page typed double-spaced minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.


Assignment Two: Samurai’s Garden pp. 54 – 95 Due _________________

_____ A. Illustrated Settings (3 parts)

1. Setting can be multi-layered. Think of physical and emotional landscapes (the emotional response to a place) in the novel. For example, notice how loneliness, solitude, and longing affect characters in the novel.

2. Next, create TWO scrapbook pages – one for Tarumi and one for Yamaguchi. Find pictures, and/or create your own illustrations of the two villages.

3. Add quotes, song lyrics, descriptions and at least FOUR quotations from the text to give an accurate portrayal of the setting (both physical and emotional) and the role these settings play in the lives of the characters. Written portion should be typed double-spaced or neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.

____ B. Japanese Garden Drawing (3 parts)

1. Create a drawing of a Japanese garden.

2. Include at least 5 different traditional elements - both green AND dry ones. Use the information you gained during the last assignment. Pay close attention to the description of the gardens in the novel; use them to guide you.

3. Write a description of your garden as if you were strolling through it, explaining the different elements you included. Try to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind. At the end of your description create a numbered list of the garden elements you included. Your drawing should be neat, on unlined paper, and in full color. The written portion should be ½ page typed double-spaced minimum (list not included), ¾ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink.

____ C. Japanese Poetry (3 parts)

1. Find a poem, written by a poet from Japan, that relates to The Samuai’s Garden.

2. Present the poem in an aesthetically pleasing way that relates to the meaning of the poem (typed, calligraphy, pictures, background or bordered paper etc.). Make sure that you include the date the poem was written, the author, and the country it is from.

3. Then, interpret the poem and discuss how it relates to The Samurai’s Garden. Be sure to include specific examples, at least one quote from the novel, and the topic or theme the poem addresses. Some questions you might answer include: Does the poet seem to have the same point of view on this subject as the author? Why/why not? Would a character in the book write this poem or feel delighted to receive this poem? How can you tell? 3/4 page typed double-spaced minimum; 1 page neatly handwritten in blue/black ink.


Assignment Three: Samurai’s Garden pp. 96 – 159. Due _________________

______ A. Healing (3 parts)

1. Discuss the topic of healing in this novel. What questions does the author pose about healing? How does she answer them? How do the different characters heal? What elements seem needed for healing, according to the author? Use specific examples and at least two quotes from the text.

2. How is healing defined in our society (not just in the dictionary)? Is it different/similar to the ideas about healing seen in this novel? How? Why do you think this might be?

3. How does “healing” apply to your life? When have you or someone you know undergone significant physical healing? Emotional healing? What, if anything, hindered the process? What helped you/them heal? What might have been even more helpful? Provide specific examples. 1 page typed minimum, 1 ½ page handwritten in blue/black ink.

______ B. Honor:

1. Discuss the topic of honor in this novel. What questions does the author pose about honor? How does she answer them? How do the different characters show honor? Use specific examples and at least two quotes from the text.

2. How is honor defined in our society? Is it different/similar to the ideas about honor seen in this novel? How? Why do you think this might be?

3. How does “honor” apply to your life? When have you done something you considered honorable or dishonorable? Was it difficult? Why/why not? How did this action affect you? Why do you think you acted this way? Provide specific examples. 1 page typed minimum, 1 ½ page handwritten in blue/black ink.

______C. Nature

1. Discuss the topic of nature in this novel. What questions does the author pose about land/environment? How does she answer them? How do the different characters show a connection to the natural environment? How does “nature” affect them? Use specific examples and at least two quotes from the text.

2. How is “nature” defined in our society? Is it different/similar to the idea of “nature” seen in this novel? How? Why do you think this might be?

3. How does “nature” apply to your life? What “counts” as “nature” to you? What kind of relationship do you have with nature? How are you/have you been affected by nature? Has this relationship changed over time? How? Do you ever wish it were different? How? Why? Provide specific examples. 1 page typed minimum, 1 ½ page handwritten in blue/black ink.


Assignment Four: Samurai’s Garden pp. 160 – 211 Due _________________

______ A. Relationships Symbolized

1. Think of at least four symbolic representations of relationships between characters in The Samurai’s Garden. Think about how the relationships have changed over time, how they might have been different given different circumstances, what has brought them strength or caused them to falter, etc.

2. Draw your symbols.

3. Now, explain your symbols using specific examples from the book. For example, a sword can represent the relationship between Matsu and Sachi; both have had to go though some of the hottest fires to become stronger. Swords are created in actual fire. The “fires” that Matsu and Sachi have survived include many trials; for example … (example omitted to avoid giving the book away.) They’ve been forged in many layers, which give them strength. One page typed minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue/black ink.

______ B. Themes Symbolized

1. Find four significant objects in the novel that are symbolic of themes in the novel.

2. Draw your symbols.

3. Write a description of how each object is part of the story. Then explain how these
objects are symbolic of the theme. Use specific examples. One page typed minimum, 1 ½ page neatly handwritten in blue/black ink.

______ C. Symbolic Kimono

1. Research Japanese characters, symbols, colors, and objects etc. Find information on the symbolic nature of objects in Japanese culture. For example, the crane is a symbol for good luck.

2. Choose one of the main characters from the book (Sachi, Matsu, or Stephen) and draw a kimono that captures the complexity of this character. Fill the kimono with the images, characters, colors it with images that best reveal this person’s true nature.

3. Include a brief explanation of your kimono. 1/2 page typed minimum, ¾ page neatly handwritten in blue or black ink (be sure to include in-text citations for any facts/information gained through your research in step #1).