DUE: Jan. 15, 2012 at 11:59 HOL pm

Please email your homework to [email protected] in text format. The subject of the email should be "Japanese Mythology - HW4 - HOL ID" or "Japanese Mythology - EC4 - HOL ID". Please submit your homework and extra credit separately. Also remember to include your full HOL name, HOL ID, and House name in the body of your email.

Homework 5

There are several options available here, but you only need to do 30 points worth. Please do not exceed this limit--if you do, I will not count it towards extra credit.


PART 1: Short Answers (10 pts)
Answer the questions in complete sentences. Each blank is worth 1 points for a total of 10 points.

  1. Although minwa is the direct translation of folktale from Japanese to English, _________________, a term coined by Kunio Yanagita that means _______________, is typically used to describe folktales of all types.
  2. In Momotaro, Momotaro attributed most of his success in stealing treasure from the island of the __________ to the three animals that had tagged along with him: the dog, the __________, and the pheasant.
  3. Mosaku and ______________ are two woodcutters in __________ Hearn's version of the popular tale, Yuki-onna.
  4. The Tale of the _________ Cutter, also known as Princess Kaguya, is thought to be the oldest Japanese _______________ in existence.
  5. Because she did not want to marry either of the five _________ that sought her hand, Kaguya-hime created five _______________ tasks--one for each of the princes--and told them that she would marry the one who managed to complete his task.


PART 2: True or False (10 pts)
If the statement is false, please rewrite it so it is true. Each question is worth 1 point, for a total of 10 points.
  1. Yuki-onna is often portrayed in folktales as a coldblooded killer--one who appears and kills travelers lost in snowstorms.
  2. In the beginning of Momotaro, an old woman was fishing by the river when she came upon a giant peach floating down with the current.
  3. Before setting off for the island of the devils, Momotaro convinced his parents to make him shrimp dumplings that he brought with him on his journey.
  4. The fourth prince who sought Kaguya-hime's hand in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter was charged with the task of obtaining a jeweled branch from the island of Horai.
  5. In Momotaro, Momotaro told the elderly couple that he had been sent by the Heavens to become their son, since the two were childless.
  6. Often associated with the winter and snow, many believe that Yuki-onna is the spirit of woman who perished in a snowstorm long ago.
  7. When the bamboo cutter first discovered Kaguya-hime in a stalk of bamboo, she was only the size of his hand.
  8. Yuki-onna is commonly described as a tall, ugly woman with long, black hair and blue lips.
  9. The reason why O-yuki did not kill Minokichi, even after he revealed what he had sworn to keep secret, was because of the many children they had together.
  10. Legend has is that Mount Fuji is the mountain where the Emperor burned Kaguya-hime's letter and elixir of life.


PART 3: Multiple Choice (10 pts)
For each of the questions, choose the most appropriate answer. Each question is worth 2 point, for a total of 10 points.

   1.  The chief of the devils in Momotaro is named
            a)    Kaguya
            b)    Mikado
            c)    Mosaku
            d)    Akandoji

   2.  In Lafcadio Hearn's version of Yuki-onna, she kills the elderly woodcutter by using her
            a)    icy breath
            b)    long hair
            c)    teeth
            d)    deadly touch

   3.  Yuki-onna is a
            a)    kami
            b)    yokai
            c)    devil
            d)    human

   4.  The reasoning behind why Momotaro wanted to go to and steal from the island of the devils was because he wanted
            a)    to bring honor to his family
            b)    to test his strength
            c)    to prove his worth to the villagers
            d)    to get rich

   5.  What happened to the fifth prince in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter as he was trying to fulfill his impossible task?
            a)    He quit and gave up
            b)    He got sidetracked, forgot about the task, and never finished
            c)    He grew very sick and was unable to finish
            d)    He died while trying


PART 4: Essay Question (20 pts)
Answer the following essay question using at least 150 words and in complete sentences. There is no right or wrong answer
Do you notice any similarities amongst the three folktales from this lesson, in terms of reoccurring themes, genre, types of characters, etc...? Explain.


Extra Credit 5

Choose one of the two extra credit options below. Each is worth 30 points.

Option 1: Writing Project
Explain your opinion to the following questions using at least 200 words and in complete sentences. Make sure to include reasoning to back up your position. There is no right or wrong answer.
Of the folktales we went over in this lesson, what was your favorite, least favorite, and why? Did you have a favorite character? If yes, explain who it is and why. If no, explain why not.

Option 2: Art Project
Illustrate and depict a scenes from any of the three folktales from the lesson. Be creative and remember, all artwork must be your original work. Make sure to upload you image to a image-hosting site and then send the link! Attachments will not be opened.