This is a one-of-a-kind kanji study guide that introduces joyo kanji along with detailed, authentic notes about the historical development of each. As useful as it is fascinating, it's a book any new or aspiring Japanese language scholar will visit over and over. In clear, large-sized entries, A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters details each of the General Use Characters In clear, large-sized entires, A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters details each of the General Use Characters--the 1,945 characters prescribed by the Japanese Ministry of Education for everyday use. Both Japanese readings and English meanings are given, along with stroke-count and stroke-order, examples of usage, and suggestions for memorizing. The components of each character are detailed. The Japanese kanji are graded according to Ministry of Education guidelines, allowing the student to prioritize them and track progress. It will appeal to students seeking to learn kanji as well as Japanese language enthusiasts who want to know the history and etymology of Japanese kanji. This book includes: Origins and meanings of over 2,000 characters. Beautifly hand-drawn kanji. Additional compound characters for each featured character. valuable suggestions and mnemonic devices for memorizing characters. All the standard characters official designed for common use. Comprehensive and clear, A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters makes Japanese writing accessible to everyone wishing to learn Japanese.

Author Biography

Kenneth G. Henshall is a graduate of the universities of London (B.A.), Sydney (Ph.D.), and Adelaide (Dip. Ed.), and is now a senior lecturer in Japanese at the University of Waikato, New Zealand. He has also taught at the universities of Auckland, Western Australia, and California. Professor Henshall is well known for his translations of Japanese literature and is the author of A Guide to Learning Hiragana and Katakan. Tetsuo Takagaki is a graduate of the universities of Wakayama (B.A.) and San Francisco State (M.A.), and is now a senior lecturer in Japanese at the University of Auckland. He has also taught at the universities of Hawaii and Maryland, and at Tsuda College in Tokyo. He is the author of a number of publications on Japanese language and linguistics.