per class

Samurai: Myth Meets History

Completed by 12 learners

Ages 12-17

Live One-Time Class

In this 80 minute single class, learners will get to sort out the myths from historical fact regarding the samurai warrior class in Japanese history.

Jennifer M. Yoo

Average rating:

4.9

Number of reviews:

(98 reviews)

Live video meetings

Meets once

2-10 learners per class

80 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

1 live meeting

1 hrs 20 mins in-class hours

Class Experience

Thanks to movies like The Last Samurai and anime series like Rurouni Kenshin, almost everyone knows a little about these warriors. But what about the true samurai?

This class is mostly lecture-based but will start with a discussion of what learners think are myths about the samurai. I will then take learners through a PowerPoint slide presentation with images/photos covering the true history of the samurai, how they lived, fought, and died. Stories of famous actual samurai in Japanese history and what they did, as well as some popular myths surrounding them that made them legendary, will be told as part of the class. Learners are encouraged to ask questions throughout. 

No previous experience or knowledge of Japanese history, culture, etc. required.

Learning Goals

After completing this class, learners will be able to explain fact from fiction regarding the samurai warrior class in Japanese history

Other Details

Parental Guidance

Given the nature of the samurai as warriors, class content will include discussion of violence.

Supply List

Video clips will be shared as part of PowerPoint presentations via screen-share on Zoom and won’t require any external resource to view.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Jennifer M. Yoo

Joined April, 2020

4.9

98reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Doctoral Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of Hawaii at Manoa

I specialize in Japanese studies and have studied Japanese premodern history and traditional culture extensively for more than 8 years. I have taught courses on samurai literature and premodern history, as well as given presentations on samurai in popular culture compared to true history since 2006. 

I have also visited various historic and cultural sites in Japan connected to samurai history, such as preserved castles and samurai residential districts.