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This unit of study uses encounters between Japan and the West from earliest contact (16th century) to the present as a case study to help secondary students explore issues of cultural contact. The activities are appropriate for United States or world history courses as well as English, psychology, or sociology classes. The unit can be completed within five class periods of 50 minutes each. On the first day students learn about perceptions and misperceptions. On day two students trace patterns of interaction between Japan and the West from the 16th to the 19th centuries and study Japanese history during this time. On the third day students describe the manner in which Westerners were portrayed by some Japanese artists (16th-19th centuries) and compare these portrayals to the images of Japanese held by Westerners during the same time period. On day four students examine our perceptions of the Japanese and the Japanese perceptions of us. On the final day of the unit students discuss how new information allows us to change our perceptions. The teaching methods utilized are many and varied. Students examine case studies and primary source materials, are involved in classroom discussions, conduct surveys, and view slide tapes. Except for the slide tapes, the units are self-contained. The slide tapes that accompany the unit are available from the project. (Author/RM)