Japan

Japanese Americans

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month In May, we honor the history and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans.

Infoplease talks briefly about the Japanese Relocation Centers. On February 19, 1942, soon after the beginning of World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. The evacuation order commenced the round-up of 120,000 Americans of Japanese heritage to one of 10 internment camps in California, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and Arkansas. Though the Axis powers who threatened the Allies included Japan, Germany, and Italy, only Americans of Japanese—not German or Italian—descent were forced to move to the relocation centers. Most of the 110,000 persons removed for reasons of ‘national security’ were school-age children, infants and young adults not yet of voting age. Learn more about the internment camps.

The National Register of Historic Places is pleased to promote awareness of and appreciation for the historical contributions of Asian and Pacific peoples in the United States and its associated territories. More about Japanese Americans’ Internment.

Analyze the reasons why people of Japanese ancestry living in the United States at the onset of World War II were removed from their homes on the West Coast and placed in relocation centers.

Book Suggestions

The Bracelet, by Yoshiko Uchida

I came across this poignant book at a local bookstore, and it led to important conversations with my young daughter about my mother’s experiences in internment camps during her teenage years. My mother’s family, along with many others, was forcibly relocated to these camps. My Auntie Mae was on the verge of graduating high school when they were interned. It provides insight into the lives of Japanese American children during this difficult time.

Emi and 120,000 other Japanese Americans (80,000 of them citizens) were sent to detention centers due to their ethnic heritage by the U.S. government; their rights were abrogated.

The field of Asian American children’s literature includes many wonderful books — poetically written and exquisitely illustrated.

So Far from the Sea, by Eve Bunting From School Library Journal-…art and text invite a new generation of Americans to remember that things can go terribly wrong when fear and hysteria prevail.

Bonsai

Make your own Bonsai craft. Although Bonsai first appeared in China, it was not until the 1100’s in Japan that the art of Bonsai was developed. Bonsai is the combination of plant and container.

Make Your Own Bonsai: Although Bonsai originated in China, it was in Japan during the 1100s that the art of Bonsai truly developed. This art form combines a plant and a container to create miniature trees. Learn more about Bonsai, the basic info, types, and tools used and try making your own mini tree!

Crafts

Tammy Yee’s Origami Page easy paper folding crafts for children.

Easy Origami Step-by-Step Instructions

Joseph Wu’s Origami Page Explanation of Basic Folds, step-by-step instructions and collections of origami.

Learn Japanese

Fast & Fun: Japanese Pronunciation guide, pull-out bilingual dictionary and vocabulary cards give you added practice with words and phrases.

Kids Web Japan Language Learn basic phrases that people use every day. You can practice them yourself after hearing how they’re pronounced.

Duolingo Japanese https://www.duolingo.com/course/ja/en/Learn-Japanese

Coto Academy suggests Top 5 Spotify Podcasts for Japanese Listening Practice and Learning Japanese

Learn Japanese with JapanesePod101.com
https://www.youtube.com/@JapanesePod101

Lesson Plans

Manyogana is an ancient form of Japanese kana which uses Chinese characters to represent Japanese sounds.

National Clearinghouse for U.S.-Japan Studies provide annotated lists of recommended Web sites about Japan arranged by topic.

Zoom School Japan An online elementary-school classroom featuring engaging subject links related to geography, science, stories, history, crafts, animals, art, time, and games. Each topic is designed to complement our Japanese theme.

Poems

Students learn the syllable structure and mood of haiku poems by comparing the serenity of the autumn months with the peaceful rhythms of haiku poetry.

A Journey To Japan Through Poetry.

Recipes

Japanese Cookbook for Kids has basic information about the foods Japanese people eat and how they eat them plus recipes.