Medieval Japan

Activity 3 – Importance of Geography

Created by Marion Wadowski for Ancient History Encyclopedia

Essential Questions  How can geography and topography help us understand Japan’s
cultural developments in the middle ages?
 What are Japan’s advantages or disadvantages of being
geographically relatively isolated?

Objectives  Complete and interpret maps to understand the impact of

geography and topology on social studies topics
 Integrate map analysis with qualitative analysis in texts to
advance an explanation of historical key points for a period of
time

Needed Materials and  Worksheets included

Information  Computers, as per your school policies
 Weblinks:
o https://www.ancient.eu/Medieval_Japan/
o https://www.ancient.eu/Wako/
 Optional tips for students and marking grids for teachers:
https://www.ancient.eu/edu/printables/

We would like to thank the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation very much for giving us the
opportunity to develop this resource.

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 Lesson Plan Geography & Topography

Instructions
50 minute class periods needed, including the wrap-up activity. It could be less if students are required to
complete some parts at home.

 To start with, make sure your students visualize where Japan is. You can use any
map of the world and ask your students to look for Japan.
 Next, provide students with Worksheet 1, where you can find a blank map and the
instructions to complete that blank map.
 In order to do this, either refer your students to the map in the keys in this lesson,
or let them do their own research.
 Once the base has been established, students will have to analyze texts to indicate on
their map, the various import/exports of Japan, as well as marking the routes of the
dreadful Wako (Japanese pirates).
 For this first worksheet, you can have your students complete the map at home for
homework or assignment, or in class. They can work in small groups or
individually.
 Next, we move on to more in-depth analysis of what the students discovered with
the map activities in Worksheet 2. Based on their findings, have the students discuss
the advantages or disadvantages of being an isolated island, when it comes to
cultural changes and innovations, for example.
 You can have this discussion take place by just writing the question on the board
(virtual or not) or give them the second worksheet of this lesson for a more guided
experience.

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 Worksheet 1 Japan’s Geography and Topography

Name Date

1) On the map of Japan:

a) Color the four main islands of Japan: Kyushu in green, Shikoku in yellow, Honshu in
blue and Hokkaido in purple.

b) Show mountains areas, placing  where relevant. This is part of what we call
topography.

c) Label the following cities: Hakata, Nagasaki, Edo (Tokyo), Nara, Osaka, Heian (Kyoto),
Kamakura, Taga and finally Akita.

d) Using the map from Mark Cartwright’s article on Wako, feared Japanese pirates,
(https://www.ancient.eu/Wako/), trace their routes in black on your map.

e) Finally, based on the following extract from Ancient History Encyclopedia, indicate
the trade routes between Japan and China in red and, Japan and Korea in blue,
marking the products exchanged.

“Economically, the country prospered as agricultural techniques improved (e.g. double-cropping, better
iron tools, fertilizers and hardier strains of rice were all employed). Trades became more specialised and
were governed by guilds, while trade with China boomed with Japanese gold, swords, and timber
exchanged for silk, porcelain, and copper coinage amongst other things. In the 15th century CE, Korea
would also trade with Japan, exporting cotton and ginseng, in particular. Villages began to grow in size as
the road networks improved and small businesses and markets made them more attractive and convenient
places to live.”

Cartwright, Mark. "Medieval Japan." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Last modified July 19, 2019.
https://www.ancient.eu/Medieval_Japan/.

f)

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 Worksheet 1 Medieval Japan’s Geography and Topography

Name Date

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 Worksheet 2 Impact of Japan’s Geography

Name Date

1) What would you say is the percentage of Japanese land covered by

mountains?

a) What impact does this have on trade?

b) As a result, where do you think most Japanese lived?

c) Do you think it could also have had an impact on how to govern the country? How so?

2) How far is Japan from Korea? And from China?

Choose the shortest distance, approximately.

a) What do you think of this distance for medieval times? Was it a lot? Not so much?
Why?

3) Briefly explain the peculiarity of Japan’s location and its impact on its
cultural development.

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 Answer Keys Worksheet 1

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 Answer Keys Worksheet 2

1) What would you say is the percentage of Japanese land covered by

mountains?

About 80%.

b) What impact does this have on trade?

Trade was not easy, as transportation of goods was rather difficult.

c) As a result, where do you think most Japanese leaved?

On the coast, as you can see from the location of the major towns.

d) Do you think it could also have an impact on how to govern the country? How so?

Because of the lack of easy of transport, it was especially hard to govern the country
as a unit. Provinces tended to be quite isolated and independently managed.

2) How far is Japan from Korea? And from China? (choose the shortest distance,
from coast to coast approximately)

Korea: about 200 km / 124miles, China: about 800km / 500 miles

e) What do you think of this distance for medieval times? Was it a lot? Not so much?
Why?

This distance was traversable; cultural exchange and trade could occur. At the same time, it
was far enough that Japan could have a certain degree of independence, making it able to
choose to accept these exchanges or not.

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 Answer Keys Worksheet 2

3) Explain briefly what the peculiarity of Japan location is and its impact on its
culture developments.

Japan is/was isolated geographically but not culturally.

China was its greatest influence and Chinese culture flowed through Korea. Japan
would take the best aspects that seemed to work while adapting them to its own
culture.

Example: The Chinese philosophy of Confucianism never really took hold in Japan
on any significant level, but the Confucian ideals of respect for one's ancestors,
education and so on most definitely did. There's a Chinese proverb that goes along
the lines of "Take a Step Back, The Sky Opens Up" which was adopted by Japan meaning
taking a moment and gaining perspective on a situation before speaking or acting.
This proverb is popular in Japan even today.

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