Japanese festivals and routines (Japanese IV, AP, IB)

This unit is designed for High School students who are in Japanese IV/AP/IB class. Noting that most but not all students will take the AP Japanese Language and Culture Exam, the unit theme is aligned with one of the Course Themes: Beauty and Aesthetics. Through this unit, students will explore the festivals of Japan and analyze the characteristics of festivals. The essential questions for students to keep in mind through this unit are 1) What makes Japanese festivals so special? 2) Why do people in Japan love festivals? 3) What do festivals represent in Japanese society and its people?