Shinran+Musubi

=**Title: Shinran Shonin Musubi**=

Objective:

 * To introduce Shinran Shonin to young children in a fun, memorable way
 * The students will be able to remember one distinguishing feature of Shinran Shonin.

Materials:

 * 1/4 cup cooked white rice per student, cooled to room temperature
 * 1/8 cup cooked brown rice per student, cooled to room temperature
 * 1 pretzel stick per student (at least 4 inches long), "Pretz" brand pretzels is a good size
 * Nori
 * Flat cone shaped arare (for hat; maybe substitute a small paper cone).
 * Soy wrappers (in white & orange)

Preparation:

 * Purchase ingredients
 * Cook & cool rice.
 * Prepare the following items
 * "scarf" - Yamamotoyama soy wrapper cut to 0.5"x3.5"
 * Hat - Yamaha Karinto crackers
 * Nori - Preforated nori sheets cut to 1.25"x4". Three pieces - two for the robe and one for the "cushion" or seating mat.
 * Eyes, Nose, Mouth - Left over nori cut into circles and a narrow strip
 * If time is a concern, pre-shape the rice into musubi

Method:

 * 1) Opening Gassho
 * 2) Introduction : Introduce the project. Describe that musubi was a common meal especially while travelling. Point out Shinran's hat, robes and walking stick.
 * 3) Make the musubi : Children may use a triangular musubi form esp if the rice is hot.
 * 4) Decorate the musubi
 * 5) Place small amount of brown rice to serve as "ground" on paper plates. This will also secure the walking stick.
 * 6) If desired, take pictures of the kids with their Shinran musubi
 * 7) If desired & time permits, have students create a background drawing. Keep bottom 2 inches of 8.5x11 paper clear. Use bottom 2 inches to secure to plate
 * 8) Summarize & Review
 * 9) Closing Gassho

Evaluation:

 * During Review, ask the students what were the items. Then re-iterate for the whole group.

Note:
May be combined with the Shinran Shonin Scrapbook lesson. Several pictures of the completed Shinran Musubi

Author:
Alan Kondo & Julie Sueyoshi, sjbc@sjbetsuin.com, San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 2009 ||