COURSE SUMMARY

This course explores over 60 Pokemon and their origins in Japanese mythology and culture. Students will learn about cultural traditions that have inspired Pokemon, and a plethora of Japanese of myths and legends that are the basis for many popular Pokemon. While the focus of this class will be the culture/mythology of Japan, it is through the lens of the Pokemon world, and thus is not a comprehensive review of the entirety of Japanese culture, folklore, or mythology.

COURSE OUTLINE

Part 1: Japanese Culture

• Religion

• Crafts

• Decorations

• Entertainment

• Sports

• Fighting

Part 2: Folklore and Mythology

• Difference between folklore and mythology

• Pokemon inspired by Japanese folklore

• Introduction to Japanese mythology

• What are Yokai?

• Water creatures from Japanese mythology

Part 3: More Mythology

• Magical Mammals

• Crazy Birds

• Ancient Gods

• Weird Heads

Part 4: Even More Mythology!

• Strange Humanoids

• "Other" (Pokemon that didn't fit in any other category)

Part 5:

• Make your own Pokemon based on Japanese Mythology

By the end of this course, students should be able to: Identify many cultural traditions of Japan and the Pokemon that are inspired by those traditions, explain what a yokai is and how to identify one, describe many mythological creatures of Japan, recall several Japanese myths and folk tales, and identify which Pokemon are inspired by Japan's most popular myths.

Not recommended for sensitive souls! Some of these Japanese monsters are quite creepy. There are some stories with death, destruction, and one mention of suicide.