Forging a Katana

Forging a Katana 

Students will learn the importance of the katana, its history, and how it is created. 

774 Views | Preview 

19 Video Interactions 


  1. 00:04:39 

    How long does the Furnace Master stay awake to watch over the furnace? 

    • 3 days

       

    • 4 days

       

    • 5 days

       

    • 6 days

       

  2. 00:05:34 

    How does the furnace master know the melted ingredients inside the furnace are ready? 

    • By the temperature

       

    • By the color

       

    • By how long it has been in the furnace

       

    • All of the above

       

  3. 00:07:57 

    What is tamahagane? 

    • The raw steel that the katana sword will be made from.

       

    • The furnace that is used to melt the steel

       

    • a long bladed single-edged sword worn by the samurai

       

    • Japan's oldest form of poetry

       

  4. 00:09:29 

    How do you think they get the lump of super hot steel out of the furnace? 

     ____________________________ 


  5. 00:11:04 

    How much do you think this lump of steel is worth? 

    • $5,000

       

    • $15,000

       

    • $25,000

       

    • $50,000

       

  6. 00:12:37 

    On what Japanese island is Kyoto located?

     

    • Hokkaido

       

    • Honshu

       

    • Skikoku

       

    • Kyushu

       

  7. 00:15:01 

    You only have to come to school 5 days a week for 6 hours. Imagine if you had to live here! Wait....that means I would have to live here too! Sounds crazy, but that is how dedicated the Japanese are to their art and their history. 

     ____________________________ 


  8. 00:19:16 

    What two metals are combined to make the soft inner core and harder edge of the sword? 

    • steel and titanium

       

    • copper and iron

       

    • steel and iron

       

    • carbon and charcoal

       

  9. 00:21:14 

    How were the katana tested during times of peace? 

     ____________________________ 


  10. 00:23:57 

    What happens to the shape of the sword when they put it in water? 

    • The rapid change from hot to cold makes the sword perfectly straight.

       

    • The sword curves to become perfect for slicing.

       

    • The metal of the sword cools slowly and becomes soft.

       

    • Nothing.

       

  11. 00:27:22 

    Would you want the job of sharpening katana swords? Why or why not? 

     ____________________________ 


  12. 00:29:31 

    'The way of the samurai is found in death.'

    What does that mean? 

     ____________________________ 


  13. 00:30:56 

    What was the worst crime a Samurai could commit? 

    • stealing

       

    • lying

       

    • murder

       

    • disobedience

       

  14. 00:31:55 

    Which sword do you think will win? The katana? Or European broadsword?   Write your guess after Question 15. 

     ____________________________ 


  15. 00:35:16 

    Check out the walls in the background and you can see racks of yari. They don't just teach sword fighting at this school.

    (What are yari? Turn to your samurai pages and review the weapons) 

     ____________________________ 


  16. 00:37:24 

    Stay focused. There will be an Exit Ticket question at the end.  

     ____________________________ 


  17. 00:40:26 

    OMG. This dude is about to have an arrow fired right at him! 

     ____________________________ 


  18. 00:44:31 

    Mr. Rowland still wants one. 

     ____________________________ 


  19. 00:46:53 

    EXIT TICKET

    Answer the following question in 5-7 sentences:

    What can you learn about the culture and history of Japan from the katana?

    (When you are done log out and close your Chromebook)

     

     ____________________________ 

Click here to preview, use, or make a copy of this interactive video lesson plan (bulb).