Japan Stage 5 Comprehension Pack PDF

STAGE 5 Unit focus: Japan Text focus: Information Text From Japan To The World Japan is famous for its blend of the traditional and the modern and it has become associated with the coo...

STAGE 5 Unit focus: Japan Text focus: Information Text From Japan To The World Japan is famous for its blend of the traditional and the modern and it has become associated with the cool, the cute and the high-tech. This ‘cool Japan’ brand has helped to make Japan an economic superpower and Japanese culture has been brought into the lives of people around the world. Here are some of the contributions Japan has made to the world. Karate Karate was developed on the Japanese island of Okinawa in the 14th and 15th centuries, based on the martial arts that arrived from China. Originally intended as a means of unarmed self-defence, it spread around Japan and then the world. Devotees enjoy the physical challenge of karate as well as the way it fosters mental discipline – outside of the training room (or dojo), it should only ever be used in defence. In 2021, it made its debut as an Olympic Sport at the delayed 2020 Tokyo games. Origami Literally translated as ‘paper folding’, origami involves using only folds to transform a flat piece of paper (usually square and with a different colour or pattern on each side) into a beautiful 3D piece of art. Origami figures were initially reserved only for use in rituals and ceremonies. As paper became more easily available, origami started to become a past time for everyday people. A particularly traditional design is of a crane and these are associated with luck. Some people even believe that if you make 1000 origami cranes, the Gods will grant you a wish! Sushi Whilst many people associate sushi with raw fish, the key ingredient is actually the specially seasoned rice. The rice can be topped with other ingredients such as fish or vegetables or the rice can be rolled around these accompaniments with a seaweed wrapping called nori. The sushi is often served with pickled ginger, a hot horseradish sauce called wasabi and soy sauce. Popular worldwide, this dish can now be found in high-end restaurants or supermarket sandwich counters making it an accessible food for many A people who may never have set foot inside Japan. ding ro Rea und all resources ©2023 Literacy Shed e um C u r r ic ul Th http://www.literacyshedplus.com Karaoke A more recent Japanese craze, Karaoke originated in the 1970s. Its name means ‘empty orchestra’ and it has become a worldwide hit for parties. In Japan, karaoke establishments often have a series of sound-proofed rooms which groups of friends can hire out together. That way, they can spend the evening belting out all their favourite tunes without fear of more public judgement! Manga, anime and gaming Japanese popular culture has fans around the world. Manga is a style of comic that originated in Japan. The comics are now translated into many different languages for export around the globe. Meanwhile, Japanese animations (or anime), with their vibrant characters and often futuristic or fantastical worlds, have gained international followers of all ages and their popularity continues to grow and grow. Japan is at the forefront of gaming and the Japanese company Nintendo is right up there leading the way. It has been responsible for introducing generations of gamers to Mario, Donkey Kong or Pokemon, to name but a few. Away from games, the phenomenal success of Hello Kitty, the little cat whose face adorns everything from notebooks, to t-shirts to TV screens, is another example of ‘Cool Japan’ taking the world by storm. RETRIEVAL FOCUS 1. What is the name of a karate training room? 2. What is the most important component of sushi? 3. What is wasabi? 4. What does karaoke mean? 5. What characters did Nintendo create? VIPERS QUESTIONS S Summarise how karate has changed and evolved as a sport over time. I How do Japanese karaoke venues aim to make karaoke accessible to all? E What phrases capture the success of the Japanese gaming industry? V What does the word vibrant suggest about the anime characters? V Which word in the final paragraph is closest in meaning to ‘decorates’? all resources ©2023 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com