SAKAMOTO RYOMA

A Japanese Hero

 

VOCABULARY:

distinctions,                differentiate,               fondly,             notoriously,                 confidence,

 xenophobe,                accomplishments,                   official,                        permission,                 daring, committed,                conform,           rebellious,        abruptly,        eccentric,            unconventional, connotation,         equivalent,             opinion,           portray,                pivotal,            survey,           

mentioned,                  accurate,         influential

QUESTIONS:

  1. Most Japanese people think of Sakamoto Ryoma very fondly.  He is usually referred to by his first name, Ryoma.  Do you prefer to use last names or first names? 
  2. Ryoma means dragon-horse.  Does your name mean anything?  What is your favorite first name?
  3. Ryoma was born in Kochi on the island of Shikoku in 1835.  Do you know of any special places to visit on Shikoku?   Have you ever been to the island of Shikoku?  Why did you visit?
  4. In Ryoma’s time there were strict class distinctions between joshi (upper class samurai) and goshi (lower class samurai). Ryoma’s father purchased the right to be joshi.  Do you think the class distinctions bothered Ryoma?  Do you know any of the customs that differentiated the classes? Tell me about those customs.
  5. Ryoma was a notoriously poor student.  Could a child like Ryoma succeed in Japan today? Why or why not?
  6. Ryoma was very good at kendo.  Have you practiced kendo?  What is the most important thing that you or someone you know learned from kendo? Why do you think martial arts are important to study and practice?
  7. Some people say that kendo teaches confidence.  How would kendo instill confidence?
  8. In 1853, when Ryoma was 19 years old, Commodore Perry’s Black Ships anchored in Tokyo (then Edo) bay.  Ryoma saw these ships.  Why was he concerned about the arrival of the ships?
  9. A xenophobe is a person who is afraid of people or things that are different than the person. A xenophobe might be afraid of foreigners. Do you know people who are afraid of foreigners?  Why do people become afraid of foreigners?
  10. Ryoma returned home to Kochi for two years in 1854 and 1855.  He began to learn about Western culture from Kawada Shoryo, a man who wrote a book about Nakahama (John) Manjiro. Do you think it is important to learn about other cultures?  Why or why not? What cultures (other than your own) are you interested in?
  11. In 1858 Ryoma received the highest ranking at his kendo school (dojo) in Edo. Americans often boast of their accomplishments.  Pretend you are an American for a moment and tell me about something in which you take pride. 
  12. In 1862 Ryoma left Tosa for Edo but this time it was without official permission.  This was both daring and dangerous. What is the most daring or dangerous thing you have done?
  13. One of Ryoma’s sisters committed suicide after helping Ryoma escape from Tosa.  Do you know why she killed herself?
  14. Do you think it is important to most Japanese to conform to social customs?
  15. What do Japanese people think of rebellious people today? 
  16. Eccentric means unconventional or odd.  But in English it also has almost no negative connotation.  Americans sometimes think very fondly of eccentric people.  Is there a Japanese word equivalent to eccentric?  What do Japanese people think of people who are unconventional?
  17. Because Ryoma was without a clan he was ryonin.  Do you think it is harder or easier to not have a clan?
  18. In 1862 Ryoma met Katsu Kaishu. Katsu tutored him in the ways of the western world and Ryoma’s  opinions about the West abruptly changed.  Have you ever had a sudden change of opinion about something or someone?
  19. How have your opinions of the world changed over the years?
  20. One of the things that interested Ryoma was that America seemed to have no class distinctions. Do you think there are class distinctions in America?  Why or why not? Are there class distinctions in Japan today?
  21. Ryoma was pivotal in the formation of the Kameyama Shachu in Nagasaki. This is considered the first trading company and first corporation in Japan.  Using the resources of two competing clans, Ryoma began to help them see how they relied on each other.  Is it accurate to say that business and trade helped bring peace and unity to Japan?
  22. In 1866 Ryoma and is wife Oryo were invited by Saigo Takamori to visit Kagoshima.  This is called the first Japanese honeymoon.  If you are married, did you go on a honeymoon?  Where? If you are not married, where would you like to go on a honeymoon?
  23. After the emperor was restored to power Ryoma made a list of those whom he felt would be good for the new government.  He did not include himself.  Why? 
  24. Ryoma was assassinated in November 1867 when he was only 33. Do you think he would be as well known or honored if he had not been killed?
  25. Do you think Ryoma is the most important national hero?  Who else would you say are national heroes of Japan? 
  26. The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial  Museum is located in the area of the Urado Castle Park in Katurahama on the island of Shikoku.  Do you like museums? What museum is your favorite?
  27. Today there are anime that portray Ryoma and Katsu.  Have you seen any?  Do you like anime of famous people?
  28. A recent survey of 200 Japanese executives asked them to name the person who would be most influential in overcoming Japan's present economic problems. Sakamoto Ryoma was mentioned more often than any other person. Why?
  29. If you could meet Ryoma what question would you like to ask him?
  30. Do you know of any American historical figure who is like Ryoma?

 

Lesson written by HS

Edited by MIR