The Wise Old Woman (Day 2)

​This is a photo of the woodblock painting Obasute no tsuki 姥捨月 (Moon for Abandoning the Old Woman).

At his resentful wife's request, a peasant carries the old woman who raised him up a mountain to abandon her.

The pine tree symbolizes longevity in Japan.​

Visual Analysis

Open Ended

After analyzing the painting, collaborate with your small group to answer the following question:

What details of the story are reflected in the illustration?

​Collaboration

Discuss with your group the answers to During Reading questions 1-5, and then answer After Reading 1-6 on the following slides.

Multiple Select

1. What characteristics of folktale are evident in this story? (Select all that apply)

• short and anonymous

• has been retold

• features impossible tasks

• repetition of the number three

• example of a trickster tale

Dropdown

Choose the correct answer for each blank to explain the cultural context of this folktale.



This folktale is set in the hilly region of​
Select answer
. The ​
Select answer
society has a ​
Select answer
who is over the village and another, more powerful​
Select answer
who could conquer the village.

Open Ended

3. How does the young lord show a lack of wisdom? How does the farmer show wisdom in disobeying the young lord?

Dropdown

What is the theme? ​
Select answer




Is it explicit or implicit? ​
Select answer

Multiple Select

5. Why is this theme also universal? (Select all that apply)

• It is applicable to all cultures.

• It can be understood by people of all times and places.

• It is influenced by cultural context.

• It is an element of a folktale.

Open Ended

6. In what ways does the theme align with the biblical teaching in Leviticus 19:32 and Proverbs 23:22?

DVIDS - Video - Kiero No Hi: Respect for the Aged Day

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Open Ended

After viewing the video about Respect for the Aged Day in Japan, collaborate with your small group to answer the following questions:

1. What is a similar holiday in the United States?

2. How do people in your own culture fail to honor the elderly?

3. What are ways you can show honor to elderly family members or neighbors?