Misaki's Journal is an interactive Japanese Graded Reader. This means that each journal entry has printable materials and well as digital and intractable resources available for students to use alongside their reading experience.

Please also check out the Teacher's Notebook and Misaki's Journal in the OER Japanese Grader Reader (Misaki's Journal).

This subject is an introduction to various forms of culture in East Asia (focusing on China, Japan and Korea), including both traditional and contemporary examples. Critically examines the shared cultural elements that are widely considered to constitute “East Asian culture,” and also the diversity within East Asia, historically and today. Examples include religious and philosophical beliefs (Confucianism and Buddhism), literature, art, food, architecture, and popular culture. The study of gender will be an integral part of this subject. The influence and presence of Asian cultural expressions in the U.S. are also considered.
This class is suitable for students of all levels, and requires no Asian language background. Students who wish to fulfill the MISTI-Singapore requirement may do the final project on Singapore. Taught in English.
The course includes field trips to the Museum of Fine Arts and the Peabody Essex Museum.

This course explores how and why Japan, a late-comer to modernization, emerged as an industrial power and the world’s second-richest nation, notwithstanding its recent difficulties. We are particularly concerned with the historical development of technology in Japan especially after 1945, giving particular attention to the interplays between business, ideology, technology, and culture. We will discuss key historical phenomena that symbolize modern Japan as a technological power in the world; specific examples to be discussed in class include kamikaze aircraft, the Shinkansen high-speed bullet train, Godzilla, and anime.

This course examines the major aesthetic, social, and political elements which have shaped modern Japanese culture and society. There are readings on contemporary Japan and historical evolution of the culture are coordinated with study of literary texts, film, and art, along with an analysis of everyday life and leisure activities.

This essay provides context for the Japanese Tea Ceremony. The Way of Tea is composed of a series of acts such as building a fire in the hearth, boiling the water, whisking the green tea powder in a tea bowl, and serving it along with some sweets. Simply put, it is an act in which the host invites the guest to share a bowl of tea together. Indeed, it began as a simple act of making and drinking tea. Over the centuries, however, it was influenced by Zen Buddhism philosophy and became a highly stylized form of art.

In this 7th grade humanities lesson, students make vegetable sushi and explore how Japan’s geography has influenced its diet and culture.

Misaki's Journal is a Graded Reader for the Novice High/Intermediate Low range of Japanese learners.

The Journal follows Misaki Kondo, a high schooler from Tokyo. There are eight entries in total, each has pictures and interactive materials.

Please view the Authentic-Like Interactive Materials subfolder for links to those items. The Teacher's Notebook subfolder also includes the guide on how to use the reader for classroom use.

Written as a teacher's guide for Misaki's Journal, the Teacher's Notebook contains vocabulary lists for each journal entry, activities that further learning and interaction with Japanese culture, and more.

Please also check out the Authentic-Like Interactive Materials for all materials mentioned in the Teacher's Notebook.