Has Nature Been Good to Japan?

Anthony Baldini
Edward R. Murrow High School
Brooklyn, New York City

Materials: Transparencies of the following pictures (enclosed): Japanese garden photograph, maps (Asia, the Pacific Rim), Mt. Fuji and a 5OO-Yen bill, "The Wave" by Hokusai, fish market photograph, resources chart, Godzilla.

Aim: Has nature been good to Japan?

Motivation:
- Tell students about a destructive earthquake in Japan and show them pictures of one. Ask them the following questions:
1. Describe what you see.
2. How does nature affect Japan in this case?
3. How can the Japanese thrive in such unpredictable conditions?

- Show the class the photograph of a Japanese Garden. Ask:
4. Describe what you see.
5. How does nature affect Japan in this case?

- Read to your students the following excerpts from the New York Times article "Trembling in Harmony with Land" (March 22, 1995):

6. Based on these excerpts, how can we describe the Japanese view of nature?

Procedure:
I. Japan's geographical location: map of Asia
1. Describe what you see.
2. As compared to the rest of Asia, how can we describe the location of Japan?
3. Japan is an archipelago. How would you define what an archipelago is based on the map?
4. List/locate Japan's major islands.
5. What are the benefits and the drawbacks of living on an island?

II. Map of Japan: The Ring of Fire
1. Describe what you see.
2. Locate the areas in the Pacific that constitute the "ring of fire."
3. Why is this area called "the ring of fire"?
4. How would this affect life in Japan?

III. Mount Fuji
1. Describe what you see.
2. This is Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain (12,389'). On one side it rises directly from the sea. It is also an active volcano.
3. Define volcano.
4. How might the people of Japan feel about Mt. Fuji?
5. How would you feel if you lived near Mt. Fuji?

IV. Japanese 500-Yen Bill with Mt. Fuji
1. Describe what you see.
2. Why might Mt. Fuji appear on Japanese yen?
3. How does this signify how the Japanese feel about Mt. Fuji?
4. In Japanese history, Mt. Fuji has been considered a sacred place. Why might this be the case?

V. Tsunami: "The Wave"
1. Describe what you see.
2. Define what tsunami means. How do you think tsunamis are formed?
3. Why does Mt. Fuji appear small compared to the wave?
4. How might the artist feel about the tsunami?
5. How might this reflect the Japanese view of nature?

VI. Resources Chart
1. Describe the data on the chart.
2. Based on the chart, what can be inferred about Japan's economy?
3. With such few natural resources, how has Japan been able to compete in a global economy?

Summary: Godzilla Picture
How does Godzilla reflect Japan's geography?
Heavy-walking earthquakes, emerging from the sea tsunami, breathing fire-volcanoes, he even has mountains on his back!