The purpose of this individualized instructional packet, one of a number of such packets issued by this source, is to assist teachers as they individualize instruction to meet the needs, interests, and abilities of students. Intended for use at the 9th grade level, it may be used as a directed study with a unit on Religion or Japan. Some skill in formulating a hypothesis and using evidence, as well as some knowledge in Buddhism and Confucianism are required. An instructors' section sets forth pre- and post-test questions and answers; major ideas of the lessons; behavioral objectives; and sources of student readings provided. The student section includes the test questions, and three lessons which are based on five student readings. Students are asked to formulate hypotheses on the basis of the readings, and then to find evidence to support or revise their hypotheses. Major ideas from the three lessons are: 1) Shintoism was based in part on the creation of Japan and the divinity of the emperor; 2) Shintoism before the influence of Confuciansim and Buddhism was a simple nature worship of any manifestation of power or beauty, with an "eighty myriads" of deities; and 3) Shintoism has undergone changes since 1945, for example it is now supported locally rather than by the state, and practitioners are now free to formulate their own beliefs. (Author/JLB)