Lesson Title: Kamon
Course: Foundations of Art
Grade Level: 9-12

Objectives: As a result of instruction, students will be able to...
1. Compare and contrast the characteristics of Japanese and European family crests.
2. Brainstorm and sketch five ideas for a crest that could represent their family.
3. Show and explain the five ideas to the class and give each other suggestions.
4. Make revisions to their favorite sketch using photographs as references.
5. Create a final crest on contrast-o paper.
6. Exhibit their crests along with an explanation of the symbols.

Materials:
compasses
sketchbooks
pencils
8 x 8 sheets of contrast-o paper
exacto knives
poster board

Instructional Resources:
Computers
Book- "Family Crests of Japan" by Takamori Ikuya
handout- Intro from "Family Crests of Japan"
questions on handout
assignment sheet
self-evaluation

Vocabulary:
kamon
montsuki haori hakama
tomesode
noren
woodblock print
shrine
two-dimensional
symmetrical/asymmetrical
monochrome
positive space/negative space

Motivation:
1. Read a handout with photos and the introduction from the book:
2. Answer questions on the handout.
3. Read through the assignment sheet.
4. Brainstorm and sketch 5 ideas that represent their families. These can be small sketches or thumbnails, approximately 2” x 2”. Students should find pictures of whatever they are drawing.
5. Present the five sketches to the class, explaining the meaning behind the symbols.
6. Make suggestions to one another of how to improve upon the sketches.
7. Choose the most successful of the 5 ideas.
8. Revise this idea in an 8” x 8” sketch, making sure that there is not too much black.

Procedure:
1. Find the center of the 8 x 8 square of contrast-o paper by measuring 4 inched over and four inches in. Place the compass on the center and extend the pencil so the circle will be a quarter of an inch in from the edge. Draw the circle by either spinning the paper or the compass.
2. Draw the design lightly within this circle with a regular pencil on the white side of the contrast-o paper.
3. Using an exacto knife, cut around the areas that you want to be black and peel them away. Be careful not to press too hard and cut through both layers.
4. Frame the finished crest.
5. Type an explanation of the symbolism in the family crest and mount it on the frame.
6. Fill out a self-evaluation.

Evaluation: To what extent did students....
1. Differentiate between Japanese and European family crests.
2. Complete five sketches of ideas for possible family crests.
3. Present and explain their five ideas as well as give each other suggestions.
4. Revise a final sketch using photographs as a reference.
5. Create a finished family crest on Contrasto paper.
6. Frame and exhibit the crest with an explanation on the frame.

Photos of students working
Finished Crests