Learning the Kanji

Learning the Kanji (English Version only)

Interactive Multi Radical Search

Multi Radical Search

Left click or tap
	A Number n
		Shows a list of radicals with stroke count n

	A radical in that list
		if the radical is in the radical list for kanji search
			Deletes the radical from the radical list for kanji search
		else
			Adds that radical to the radical list for kanji search
		Shows all kanji matching the radical list for kanji search

	A radical in the radical list for kanji search
		Deletes the radical from the radical list for kanji search
		
	A kanji
		if the kanji is in the kanji list for word search
			Deletes the kanji from the kanji list for word search
		else
			Adds that kanji to the kanji list for word search
		Shows the kanjidic entry at monash

	A kanji in the kanji list for word search
		Deletes the kanji from the kanji list for word search
		
	W
		Shows the edict entry at monash for the word starting with
		the kanji in the kanji list for word search
		
	C
		Clear the respective level and downwards

This is an interactive multi radical search based on the Kanjidic radk file and written in java script. For displaying the dictionary entries Kanjidics backdoor API is utilized. It works well for finding a kanji or word using a minimum of taps when reading old texts on paper. For the original Kanjidic multi radical search please refer to Multi radical search at monash

Javascript based Kanji Flashcards

Kanji Flashcards

Left click or tap
	One or more Jōyō levels (1-6, 8)
		Sets the pool from which the kanji are selected
                with equal relative frequencies.

        S
                Restricts the pool to kanji "similar" to the current kanji.

        - +
                Sets the speed for the decay of raised frequencies (1-5).
                See explanation below.
                Higher value -> slower decay -> more repetitions.

        Next
                Shows a new kanji randomly selected from the pool.

        Show
                Shows readings an meanings for the current kanji.

The relative frequencies for the kanji within the pool are equal. When readings and meanings are shown, the relative frequency for that kanji is boosted. It decays exponentially with every occurrence without showing readings and meanings until reaching ground level.

The flashcard program does not remember cofiguration or state because I want to keep the web site cookie free.

This page uses the JMdict/EDICT and KANJIDIC dictionary files. These files are the property of the Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group, and are used in conformance with the Group's licence.

How to learn Kanji

This beautiful piece of handwriting stems from the saint of calligraphy himself. Ôgishi [303-361] created the most important models for cursive- and grass script. Even nowadays many people are using his works for rinsho, the copying of a model scripture.

The meaning of this three Characters is somewhat like "the sayings of people from ancient times". I have chosen this one as a motivation. If you want to listen to "the sayings of people from ancient times", if you want to get into contact with classical East Asian culture, you have to learn kanji. Of course there are translations, but a translation is never the real thing and depends heavily on the knowledge and views of the translator. So there is no substitute for learning the script, and having a look yourself.

Enough for motivation. Ho do I learn kanji ? There are many approaches and the following is only a humble presentation of my own one, hoping that it might be of use to others. It consists of a 4 element approach:

1.) Discover and develop your love for the kanji. Realize the beauty and the efficiency of this kind of script. Try calligraphy to develop a feeling for the aesthetics of the form of the characters.

2.) Understand the graphic meaning and the evolution of kanji. I found the "Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters" by Kenneth G. Henshall, Tuttle Publishing (December 1990) to be an excellent aid in penetrating this topic. The explainations in the book are indispensable for understanding the evolution of kanji.

3.) Memorize kanji. Yes, there is no way around that one. You have (for a certain span of time) to get used to memorize kanji by the hundreds.

4.) Read, read and read some more. The ability to read fluently is acquired only by doing so. Choose a topic that captures your interest, get some books and read.

You now may ask, where to fetch the time required for this task. You might consider throwing out your TV set ...

About Hyperkanji

Now what about the links at the top and bottom of the page ? These are HTML versions of Jim Breen's (to whose feet we kneel, on whose shoulders we stand ...) kanjidic. If you happen to be interested in Japanese text processing and computing, I strongly recommend that you visit his page. He has done quite a lot for us japanophiles sitting at a computer.

Hyperkanji, as I christened this hypertext version of kanjidic, is a listing of first the mere kanji and then the entries of kanjidic stripped from everything except kanji, readings and meanings. Both listings are sorted by radical numbers and stroke count. I used the classic radical numbers as is done in the "New Nelson". The first list has a rather dense layout for the grade partitions and is annotated with radical and stroke count numbers in the whole set of jôyô kanji partition, with kanji belonging to one specific radical class listed in one block. The very dense layout facilitates memorizing, the annotated layout quick finding.

Every kanji in the first list is linked to its corresponding entry in the second list. The entries in turn are linked back to the naked kanji in the first list. There are extracts for grade 1-6, general usage, name usage as well as the whole set of jôyô kanji. The sorting and editing of course were not done by me, but by a perl script I created for that purpose.

What's the use of this arrangement ? With a working knowledge of the radical system you are able to find a certain kanji in the first list. And in most cases you find it -fast-. Then by clicking the kanji you at once are at the entry. For me this is the fastest lookup method imaginable.

The second use is in aiding memorizing. When I started learning kanji in earnest, I copied the grade listings from nelson, and starting with grade one, I memorized the kanji in such a way, that I was able to read through the list, and immediately give one on reading, one kun reading and one meaning for each kanji. I did so for grade 1, then grade 2, then grade 1 and 2 together and so on. Of course I repeatedly had to look up the kanji in the Nelson.

And this looking up while memorizing is done most effectively using hyperkanji. The neighboring ( in radical - stroke count space) kanji are easily accessible for a quick glance in both lists.

In pursuing such a huge endeavor, it is important to set realistic goals, and to have fun reaching them. Don't overdo until you lose your enthusiasm. Find an approach, that suits you best and follow it persistently. It may for example be a good idea to print out just the dense listing and take it with you on your regular rides on public transport. Online again, you look up the ones you failed to recognize. There are a lot of possible tactics.

If you have difficulties in viewing the lists, try setting the character encoding of your browser to "Japanese Autodetect" or "EUC Japan". You of course must have a Japanese font installed on your OS. Concerning the question of installing Japanese language extensions (ie. fonts, input methods ...) on several platforms, I would like to refer to Jim Breen's Page. There you find a couple of links to "how to make your PC understand Japanese" - type documents.

Finally I hope, that I was able to rouse your interest and that hyperkanji provides a useful tool for exploring the fascinating world of kanji.