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Worksheets

Japanese Culture and History

Total questions: 54

Worksheet time: 26mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In which city did the Golden Age flourish?

a)

Tokyo

b)

Korea

c)

Heian

d)

None are correct

2.

Zen Gardens contain

a)

sand and water

b)

flowers and trees

c)

rocks and sand

3.

What is the main purpose of a Zen Garden?

a)

To grow pretty flowers

b)

To practice meditation

c)

To perform drama

d)

To allow weeds to flourish

4.

Which of the following materials are needed for Japanese calligraphy?

a)

pens and paper

b)

ink and brushes

c)

laptop and stylus

d)

shodo

5.

Which of the following influenced Japan's early writing?

a)

Korean characters

b)

Chinese characters

c)

They originated in Japan

6.

Which is true about Noh drama?

a)

It was originally intended only for the upper class.

b)

It contained masks that were somewhat creepy-looking

c)

Plays were much more simple than Kabuki.

d)

All are true

7.

Which is true about Noh drama?

a)

It was originally intended only for the upper class.

b)

It contained masks that were somewhat creepy-looking

c)

Plays were much more simple than Kabuki.

d)

All are true

8.

Which of the following was NOT considered beautiful in Heian Japan?

a)

Very thin models

b)

Faces painted white with blackened teeth

c)

Eyebrows shaved and redrawn higher

d)

Many layers of kimonos

9.

Most of Japan's early literature was written by

a)

leaders

b)

women

c)

the samurai

10.

Which are part of Japan's drama?

a)

a. Ikebana flowers

b)

b. Noh masks

c)

c. Bunraku puppets

d)

d. both b & C

11.

Which are part of Japan's drama?

a)

a. Ikebana flowers

b)

b. Noh masks

c)

c. Bunraku puppets

d)

d. both b & C

12.

Which is NOT true about Zen Buddhism?

a)

It emphasized simplicity.

b)

It requires focus and meditation.

c)

It encourages inner peace.

d)

It requires followers to pray in a Buddhist temple with specific prayers.

13.

Which religion believes that all parts of nature have spirits called kamis?

a)

Zen Buddhism

b)

Shintoism

c)

Daoism

14.

What was the purpose of a Zen garden?

a)

To grow miniature trees called Bansai trees.

b)

To give flowers a place to thrive.

c)

To swirl sand around rocks.

d)

To help visitors clear their minds.

15.

Who was at the top of Japan's social pyramid even though he was not really in charge?

a)

the king

b)

the shogun

c)

the emperor

d)

the figurehead

16.

Who had the real power in Japan's social pyramid?

a)

the figurehead

b)

the emperor

c)

the shogun

d)

the daimyo

17.

Why was the emperor considered a figurehead?

a)

He was not really in charge.

b)

The emperor was more focused on culture than running the government.

c)

The daimyo and Shogun had more power.

d)

All are correct.

18.

Who hired the samurai to protect their land?

a)

the emperors

b)

the daimyo

c)

the ninja

d)

the peasants

19.

Bushido is

a)

the samurai's favorite weapon

b)

the name of the most powerful leader in Japan

c)

the code of honor all samurai followed

d)

a great new sushi place in Edison

20.

Bushido is

a)

the samurai's favorite weapon

b)

the name of the most powerful leader in Japan

c)

the code of honor all samurai followed

d)

a great new sushi place in Edison

21.

Why was Zen Buddhism important to the samurai warriors?

a)

It helped clear their minds so they could focus in battle.

b)

It helped them paint better pictures.

c)

It helped them arrange flowers better.

d)

It helped them worship nature.

22.

Why was Zen Buddhism important to the samurai warriors?

a)

It helped clear their minds so they could focus in battle.

b)

It helped them paint better pictures.

c)

It helped them arrange flowers better.

d)

It helped them worship nature.

23.

Which was the most important weapon used by the samurai?

a)

a metal fan

b)

a tanto (short sword)

c)

a katana (long sword)

d)

meditation

24.

True or false: women could be samurai

a)

true

b)

false

25.

What are some teachings of Zen Buddhism?

a)

simplicity

b)

meditation

c)

self-discipline

d)

All are correct

26.

What continent is Japan located on?

a)

North America

b)

Africa

c)

Australia

d)

Asia

27.

How many "main" islands make up Japan?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

28.

Which of the following about Japan is true?

a)

The country is small, but the population is large.

b)

The country is large, but the population is small.

c)

The country is small, and the population is large.

d)

The country is large, and the population is large.

29.

If you were to order a meal while in Japan, which of the following would NOT be considered a "Japanese" food item?

a)

chicken wings

b)

fish

c)

steamed vegetables

d)

rice

30.

Which of the following is not true about Japan's culture?

a)

When entering a Japanese home, one should leave their shoes by the door.

b)

Most homes have at least one room decorated in traditional Japanese style.

c)

Kimonos are still worn for special celebrations and ceremonies.

d)

Eating with chopsticks was a tradition of the past, but nowadays most Japanese people use forks, spoons and knives.

31.

5. Based on the sentence below, the right reasons why the Japanese are so polite?


(1) The strict rules of japanesse philosophy and religion

(2) Very considered about the harmony and good influence to each other

(3) Parents and teacher taught their children about the importance of social manner

(4) As the extremely close encounters rules to guide the Japanese live

a)

A. 1 & 3

b)

B. 2 & 4

c)

C.1,2,3

d)

D. ALL TRUE

32.
Japan is an ___.
a)
isthmus
b)
arctic
c)
city
d)
island
33.
You could see Mount __ in Japan.
a)
KILIMANJARO
b)
FUJI
c)
EVEREST 
d)
VOLCANO
34.
__ are wrapped around the body in layers and secured with a sash.
a)
HAORI
b)
DHOTI
c)
KIMONO
d)
SARI
35.
Japanese cartoon films or TV shows
a)
ANIME
b)
MANGA
c)
CALLIGRAPHY
d)
ORIGAMI
36.
Japanese comic books
a)
ANIME
b)
MANGA
c)
CALLIGRAPHY
d)
ORIGAMI
37.
What do Japanese people find disrespectful when communicating non-verbally?
a)
Being on their phones
b)
Looking someone in the eye
c)
Shaking hands
d)
Being silent
38.
Which country heavily influenced Japanese culture?
a)
China
b)
India
c)
Korea
d)
Russia
39.
How did the Chinese influence the Japanese? 
a)
Writing system, poetry, music, architecture 
b)
Writing system, music, language, clothing
c)
Music, poetry, clothing, architecture
d)
Poetry, language, agriculture, clothing
40.
What would most likely be on a menu of a restaurant in Japan?
a)
Corn, tomatoes, and olives
b)
Hamburgers, bacon, and meatballs
c)
Rice, sushi, and fish
d)
Spaghetti, pizza, and garlic bread
41.
How did Japan’s geography influence the country?
a)
It made them an easy target for barbarians to attack
b)
It allowed them to be isolated from other civilizations
c)
It helped their ideas and beliefs spread throughout the world
d)
It allowed them to have many farms and grow many different types of food
42.
What was The Golden Age of the Arts?
a)
an art festival
b)
a period of time when art was very important
c)
a dynasty
d)
a training school for art
43.
In the area of visual arts, the Japanese practiced the art of a fancy writing called _____________.
a)
script
b)
calligraphy
c)
printing
d)
font
44.
One of the main things Japanese paintings focused on was __________.
a)
architecture
b)
nature
c)
people
45.
The Japanese painted bold, bright colors on ______________________.
a)
doors and furniture
b)
animals
c)
pottery
46.

The followers of Shinto, the early religion of Japan, believe that spirits live in

a)

houses, trees, and the sun

b)

humans, trees, and rivers

c)

trees, rocks, and rivers

d)

the sun, temples, and houses

47.

The imperial court in Kyoto became known as a center of

a)

Japanese government

b)

Japanese religion

c)

Japanese culture

d)

Japanese learning

48.

Samurai means

a)

the way of the gods

b)

the way of the warrior

c)

one who obeys

d)

one who serves

49.

Japanese works of art often show

a)

an appreciation and respect for nature

b)

a focus on religious subjects

c)

strict imitation of Chinese styles

d)

the importance of material wealth

50.

A symbol that is used to describe the short life of a samurai

a)

pine tree

b)

a crane

c)

a cherry blossom

d)

a sword

51.
Why have there been so many conflicts over land throughout Japan's history?
a)
The Daimyo were constantly try to overthrow the Emperor.
b)
The Samurai were constantly trying to overthrow the Daimyo.
c)
Land is valuable because the deserts limit the area available for farming.
d)
Land is valuable because the mountains limit the area available for farming.
52.
Which food staple have the Japanese relied on due to its geographic isolation and lack of arable land?
a)
flour
b)
rice
c)
sugar
d)
wheat
53.
What aspect of Shinto is evident in this Japanese painting?
a)
the beauty and power of nature
b)
the importance of sea travel
c)
A)  the need for shrines to the gods
d)
A)  the desire of humans to control nature
54.
What was the role of women in Japanese feudalism?
a)
Women owned all the property.
b)
Women were considered to be equal to the samurai.
c)
Women were required to obey men.
d)
Women were respected and did not have to work.