Japanese Samurai Close Reading - Tale of Heike

This seven slide PowerPoint contains a close reading activity and questions based on an excerpt from the text “The Tale of Heike”, a classic story from medieval Japanese literature. This primary source text selection perfectly illustrates several key concepts relating to medieval Japanese culture including; Seppuku/Harikiri (ritual suicide), Shinto, Pure Land Buddhism, Bushido, the act of writing a poem as one’s last words. The end of the passage also makes reference to the “head viewing ceremony”, which refers to the custom of taking the head of one’s enemy to one’s lord for viewing. Since this reading deals with these graphic practices I would recommend this close reading for students in grade 7 or higher. I use this with my seventh graders every year and the find the reading very engaging.

The purpose of a close read activity is to have students closely examine a piece of text by reading the text three different times, with three different tasks in mind. While all three questions are visible to the students on the worksheet, it is important for the instructor to explain that students will be reading the text three different times, once to answer each question. The PowerPoint follows this format by repeating the text with new annotations every time the next question is posed. By focusing on three separate and distinct purposes for each reading and subsequent re-read of the text the teacher can focus on a more complete understanding of text.

The lesson contains: a seven slide PowerPoint with numerous custom animations, student worksheet, and a teacher answer key.