Prince Shotoku Hangman Activity
聖
Prince Shotoku Hangman Challenge
Ancient Japan Reading Vocabulary • Solve 9 Rounds Using Definition Clues
Name:
Date:
Rules: Each underscore (_) represents one letter. Read the definition clue, guess letters to solve the secret word, and track strikes before the 6 gallows parts are drawn!
6 Strikes Max
ROUND 1 Definition: Sacred writings or holy religious books. (Matching clue: "texts")
9 Letters
Strikes (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
ROUND 2 Definition: Japanese hereditary military nobility and fighters. (Matching clue: "warriors")
7 Letters
Strikes (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
ROUND 3 Definition: Practice of focused mental quiet and contemplation. (Matching clue: "deep concentration")
10 Letters
Strikes (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
ROUND 4 Definition: Ultimate Buddhist state of spiritual wisdom and freedom. (Matching clue: "spiritual peace")
13 Letters
Strikes (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
ROUND 5 Definition: Official who rules during a monarch's minority or absence. (Matching clue: "substitute ruler")
6 Letters
Strikes (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
_ _ _ _ _ _
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Prince Shotoku Vocabulary Activity • Page 1 of 2 Turn to Page 2 for Rounds 6–9 →
Prince Shotoku Hangman (Continued)
Rounds 6 through 9 • Final Historical Terms
No word bank • Count your underscores!
ROUND 6 Definition: Capable, productive, and functioning without waste. (Matching clue: "useful")
9 Letters
Strikes (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
ROUND 7 Definition: Followed as a model or duplicated artistic traditions. (Matching clue: "copied")
8 Letters
Strikes (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
ROUND 8 Definition: Supreme military commanders who governed Japan. (Matching clue: "military rulers")
7 Letters
Strikes (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
ROUND 9 Definition: The manner in which a person behaves; moral actions. (Matching clue: "behavior")
7 Letters
Strikes (6)
1
2
3
4
5
6
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Score & Mastery Check
Total Solved Without Strikes Out: ___ / 9
Vocabulary Reflection: Which word was the most challenging to deduce without a word bank, and which clue helped you solve it?
Prince Shotoku Hangman Answer Key
Prince Shotoku Hangman
Teacher Answer Key
Official Vocabulary Solutions, Definitions & Historical Context
Ancient Japan Unit
9 Rounds Total • 100% Match
Master Vocabulary Word Bank (With Letter Underscores)
Exclusively on Answer Key
SCRIPTURE (9) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SAMURAI (7) _ _ _ _ _ _ _
MEDITATION (10) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
ENLIGHTENMENT (13) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
REGENT (6) _ _ _ _ _ _
EFFICIENT (9) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
IMITATED (8) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SHOGUNS (7) _ _ _ _ _ _ _
CONDUCT (7) _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Round 1 Solution Match: texts
S C R I P T U R E _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Definition: Sacred writings or holy religious books.
Context: Shotoku studied Buddhist scriptures brought from China.
Round 6 Solution Match: useful
E F F I C I E N T _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Definition: Capable, productive, functioning without waste.
Context: Twelve Level Cap and Rank system created an efficient civil service.
Round 2 Solution Match: warriors
S A M U R A I _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Definition: Japanese hereditary military nobility and fighters.
Context: Elite warriors who followed the code of honor and served lords.
Round 7 Solution Match: copied
I M I T A T E D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Definition: Followed as a model; duplicated traditions.
Context: Japan imitated Chinese government, writing, and temple architecture.
Round 3 Solution Match: deep concentration
M E D I T A T I O N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Definition: Practice of focused mental quiet and contemplation.
Context: A central practice in Zen Buddhism to calm the mind.
Round 8 Solution Match: military rulers
S H O G U N S _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Definition: Supreme military commanders who governed Japan.
Context: Military leaders who controlled Japan while emperors held symbolic status.
Round 4 Solution Match: spiritual peace
ENLIGHTENMENT _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Definition: Complete spiritual peace, wisdom, and awakening.
Context: The spiritual awakening sought by Prince Shotoku and monks.
Round 9 Solution Match: behavior