Telling Tales with Kamishibai

Procedure

1. Discuss the Suit of Armor:
   1. Observe and Describe: Look at the suit of armor for at least one minute. What do you notice?
   2. This armor has the protective deity, Fudo Myoo, painted on the chestplate, and other artistic elements. Armor was often individualized based on rank and alliances. How would you feel if you encountered a warrior wearing this suit of armor?
2. What more can you find? (This suit of armor was made for a samurai warrior in Japan.)
3. When might you have to wear armor? (This was made during the peaceful Edo period.) Why do you think samurai were still wearing armor even during peaceful times? Look closely at the artistic details. What do you see painted on the front plate? (On the front plate is the Buddhist guardian deity Achala (Japanese: Fudo Myoo) running over rolling waves.) Why might there be a Buddhist deity on armor? What is he doing?
   1.  This image suggests that Fudo is raising his sword and charging to protect the wearer. When do you think it is appropriate to use force?
4. Introduce the video of the Japanese story, “Winning Without Hands.” The story, “Winning without Hands,” provides an example of the samurai value of discipline, and teaches us what might happen to people who abuse their power.
5. Draw a Conclusion: What messages do you think the story was trying to convey? How might a samurai have interpreted this story? How might a person with less power than a samurai have interpreted this story?
6. Connect: Have you ever had an experience where you felt someone abused their power and status? What happened in the end? Did that person get away with their abuse of power?

 
Procedure to create a Kamishibai

1. Recall main events/actions on post-its.
2. Order main events, removing those that are secondary to the story. (Tip: Use sentence starters: Once. First. Second. Next. Then. Finally). Revise to include dialogue and sensory details.
3. Illustrate one card per post-it, with an emphasis on the setting and main action. Check to see that the drawings c correlate with each section of the story.
4. Edit and revise each section of the story. Cut out the text strips and losely attach them to the back of the preceding card. Adhere when you are sure they are correctly ordered.
5. Place picture cards in order and number the back of the last picture with a 1. This card will have the first part of the text. The first card will have a number 2, and the second text strip. Number the set.
6. Tell your story to another small group.

Additiona; Resources
Kamishibai for Kids: www.kamishibai.com
Story Card Theater: www.storycardtheater.com
Kamishibai.org: www.kamishibai.org
Kimmel, Eric A. Sword of the Samurai: Adventure Stories from Japan
McGowan, Tara. The Mechanics of Kamishibai Through the Art of Eigoro Futamata
 

Rubric for Storytelling

Task Description:    (Teacher may explain specific assignment in this space.)
 
 
 
 

Criteria
weight
Exemplary
4 – yes
Accomplished
3 – yes, but
 Developing
2 – no, but
 Beginning
1 – no

Knows the Story
20%

• Knows the story well; has obviously practiced telling the story; uses no notes; speaks with confidence

• Knows the story pretty well; some practice; may use notes; fairly confident

• Knows some of the story; has not practiced; relies on notes; appears uncomfortable

• Does not know story; reads from notes

Voice
15%

• Always speaks loudly, slowly, and clearly
• Correct pronunciation; explains unfamiliar words

• Usually speaks loudly, slowly, and clearly
• Correct pronunciation; does not explain unfamiliar words

• May speak too softly or too rapidly; mumbles occasionally
• Incorrect pronunciation of some words; does not explain unfamiliar words

• Speaks too softly or too rapidly; mumbles
• Incorrect pronunciation; does not know what unfamiliar words mean

Acting
20%

• Consistently motivates and assists others

• Quick to volunteer and assist others

• Generally works well with others

• Seldom works well with others

Duration
5%

• Story lasts 5 to 7 minutes

• Story lasts less than 5 or more than 7 minutes

• Story lasts less than 4 or more than 8 minutes

• Story lasts less than 3 or more than 9 minutes

Audience Contact
10%

• Storyteller looks at all the audience; involves them with questions

• Storyteller looks at a few people in the audience; involves only a few with questions

• Story told to only 1 to 2 people in the audience; little audience involvement

• Storyteller does not look at audience; no attempt to involve audience with questions

Pacing
10%

• Story told at the appropriate pace, depending on the story line

• Story told well, but some parts may be rushed or dragged in some parts

• Story rushed or dragged in several parts

• Story told at one pace; no excitement

Appropriateness
10%

• Story is developmentally appropriate for audience

• Most of the story is developmentally appropriate for audience

• Some of the story is developmentally appropriate for audience

• Story is developmentally inappropriate for audience

Props
10%

• Outstanding use of props; props are appropriate

• Good use of props; props are appropriate

• Uses props some of the time; some props not appropriate or are distracting

• Poor use of props; uses no props or inappropriate props

 
 
Assignment Score  ______________     +     Beyonder/Bonus  ______________     =           Final Score   ________________