California State Standard 7.5 is delineated in the following manner: "Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of medieval Japan." Seventh-grade students describe the significance of Japan's proximity to China and Korea and the influence of these countries on Japan; discuss the reign of Japan's Prince Shotoku and the characteristics of Japanese society during his reign; describe the values, social customs, and traditions prescribed by the lord-vassal system; trace the development of distinctive forms of Japanese Buddhism; study the ninth and 10th centuries' golden age and its lasting effects on culture; and analyze the rise of a military society in the late 12th century and the role of the samurai in that society. Because of its important legacy in Japanese life, medieval Japan (1185-ca. 1600) is a rich topic for students. During this period the power of the emperor declined, and authority fell into the hands of local military rulers, giving Japan a feudal society which can be strikingly compared to that of medieval Europe. This lesson discusses the uses and significance of the topic; chronology of periods in Japanese history ("Beginning the Topic"; "Developing the Topic"; "Culminating the Topic"); figure VII-2--rhetorical elements for autobiographical writing; activities for other topics; extended and correlated activities; resources for the sample topic; general resources; and visual and performing arts resources. Appended are three examples of Japanese literature. (BT)