Japanese Arts and Literature
Get pupils exploring and engaging in Japan with some fun and hands-on activities that will allow them to learn all about some of the different and iconic forms of Japanese arts and literature. See below for some of our recommended learning resources and activities.
Check out our Background Notes for Teachers - PDF (360 KB) to brush up on your knowledge about Japanese arts and literature ahead of teaching it in your classroom!
Learning Resources
Our free online learning resources cover a range of topics that link to the national curriculum and can be easily adapted to suit your classroom, either as an extended unit of learning or as a stand-alone lesson. See below for some of our recommended Arts and Literature resources.
Arts
- Exploring Hokusai / Key Stage: 2 & 3
Learn all about one of Japan's most famous and iconic artists with this resource - Katsushika Hokusai! Pupils will closely examine some of Hokusai's most famous work and learn all about the woodblock prints known as ukiyo-e. This resource also includes an activity in which pupils can produce their own prints inspired by Hokusai's work.
Lesson Duration: 1 hour - 1 hour 30 minutes - Designing Dogu Figurines / Key Stage: 3
Learn all about the ceramic figurines known as dogu - made by the people of ancient Japan thousands of years ago! Their intricate patterns and varying facial expressions give each one unique and fun personalities. Then, try making your own dogu figurine out of clay or salt dough.
Lesson Duration: multiple lessons, 50 minutes - 1 hour 10 minutes+ each - Introducing Manga to the Art Classroom / Key Stage: 3
Get creative with our manga resource, which allows pupils the chance to learn about the history and cultural significance of manga in Japan, as well as try drawing their own manga-inspired pieces!
Lesson Duration: multiple lessons, 40 minutes - 1 hour+ each
Literature
- Journeys with Haiku: Beyond 5-7-5 / Key Stage: 3
In this multi-lesson unit, pupils will get the chance to learn about and deepen their understanding of haiku, as well as write their own. They will be able to discover the true essence of haiku through the theme of journeys, as well how haiku can connect us to the natural and urban landscape as well as to particular moments in time.
Lesson Duration: multiple lessons, 45 minutes - 1 hour - Kamishibai / Key Stage: 2
Bring Japanese stories to life in your classroom with a traditional form of story-telling known as kamishibai - which literally means "paper theatre". Explore the wide range of kamishibai resources for you to download and use in your classroom.
Activity Duration: 10 - 20 minutes each
Activities
See below for some of our recommended stand-alone activity resources, which can be easily implemented into your lessons all about Japan.
- Japanese Calligraphy / Key Stage: 2 and 3
Learn about the basics of traditional shodo (calligraphy) and try writing kanji, using the video tutorial! Even if you do not have traditional Japanese calligraphy equipment, you can still do this activity using regular paintbrushes with water-based paints to create a similar effect.
Activity Duration: 20 - 30 minutes - Origami & Crafts / Key Stage: 2 and 3
Origami is simple, easy, and requires minimal set-up – all you need is some square paper! We have a variety of fun and challenging origami tutorials and videos, ranging in different levels of complexity.
Activity Duration: 5 - 10 minutes -
Research an Artist - Fact File Template / Key Stage: 2 and 3
Download and use these fact file templates, and let pupils do their own independent research about a famous Japanese artist. KS2 - Artist Fact File Template
KS3 - Artist Fact File Template
Activity Duration: 20 - 30 minutes+