Narratives in Japanese Prints

SUBJECT: ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS

GRADE LEVEL: HIGH SCHOOL

TOPIC:

Developing a narrative

TEKS:

Chapters 110.41-110.45, 110.49, 110.52, 110.54

OBJECTIVES:

Students will examine an art object and gain information from it.

Students will examine how artists provide important information to convey a narrative.

MATERIALS:

See Images Below

Kunisada, Seated Samurai
with Cane,ca. 1830

Hiroshige, Ladies in Boats
Watching Fireworks, ca. 1850

Tominobu, Female Staring
into Fire Pot, ca. 1820

Many of the prints from Japan depict stories from the theater, or plays. Have students look at these and imagine that they are scenes from a play.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What clues in the picture tells you what might be happening? 

How has the artist conveyed important information?

Based on what you see, what might have happened before and after this scene?

ASSIGNMENT:

Have students pretend that they are writers reviewing the play for their school newspaper or, a local magazine. Write an article about the play, telling the readers about the story, the actors and actresses, the scenery, and whether or not they liked the play. Use clues from the picture, as well as your imagination to describe what happens in the play (the narrative); who the hero is and what the actors say and do. Have students share their reviews with the class.