A Student’s Work (3rd Grade)

Purpose/ Rationale
In Japanese culture the ties of family (Ie) is highly considered, and the design of family crests (Kamon), which are helpful in identifying the roots of a family and connecting family members with each other, are well developed. Such a family crest is often stamped on commodities, such as Kimono. The objects used for that design include animals, plants, and symbolic images, which often reflect Japanese aesthetic taste. Students will become aware of aesthetic elements of Japanese family crests and create a family crest in relation to their own families.

Objectives
Students will:
1. know how and why Japanese use family crests.
2. become aware of particular and simplified objects used for Japanese family crests.
3. create a family crest in relation to their own families.

Time Allotment
2 class sessions

Materials
Color markers
Drawing papers, 959," 1 per student
Paper for sketches, 9512," 1 per student
Pairs of Compasses
Rulers

Visuals
Examples of Japanese family crests.
Pictures of objects, such as animals and plants, which may be useful for creating family crests.

Vocabulary

Culture : Kamon (a family crest)

Art: Simplified, Repeated, Organic, Geometric

Procedure

Preparation
A teacher will: (20 min.)
1. create an example of family crests. (15 min.)
2. prepare a story that explains the design of the example.
3. prepare 95 9" drawing paper per student.
Students will:
1. (As a homework) find one object that is strongly related to their own families.
*Notes: This homework can be done with their family members.

Setup (5 min.)
A teacher will:
1. prepare a slide projector and slides.
2. place color makers and papers on the table.

Look at and Talk about Art (15 min.)
Students will:
1. look at Japanese family crests and identify objects used for the design.
*Notes: Plants are more often used than animals in Japanese family crests.
2. talk about how the objects used for the crests are simplified and why they should be so.
*Notes: Students may compare and contrast the simplified objects with the real objects.
3. identify repeated, organic, and geometric elements in the crests.
4. talk about why they chose a particular object for the family crest.

Create (75 min.)
Students will:
1. on the sketch paper, develop a simplified form from the specific object that they chose for the family crest.
2. draw an original family crest using color makers.
Notes: Rulers and pairs of compasses can be used for drawing circles and squares.
3. write why they chose a particular object for the crest on the back of the paper.

Assess and close (10 min.)
Students will:
1. identify relations between the crest and their own families.
2. look for the evidence of abstract forms developed based on specific objects.

Extension and Enrichment

Social Studies
Compare and contrast ideas and images about a family between the U.S. and Japan. Explore the concept of Ie (family) in relation to the Feudalism in Japanese society.

Resources
Awasaka, T. (1997). Kamon no Hanashi. Tokyo, Japan: Sintyo-Sha. (ISBN4-10-600528-X, IU Library: O.J. CR 2551. A 93 1997)

Appendix 1: Examples of Japanese Family Crests

Appendix 2: Examples of Students’ Works

"My family is a family of four. The four blocks of squares means that two of our family is the same, the other two are different." (3rd Grader)
"This is related to my family because we always wanted a pet and I hunt this frog. So we finally got our pet." (3rd Grader)
"My families are busy. Bees are always busy. That relates to my family." (3rd Grader)
 
 

Last updated: 04/06/2004
URL: http://www.indiana.edu/~easc/resources/
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