The Kana Crash Course

Home , Chi (kana), E (kana), Fu (kana), Ha (kana), Hi (kana), Ho (kana)

SECTION NAME

A quick yet thorough introduction to Japanese phonetic writing

Andrew Scott Conning

1 LEXICA

A quick yet thorough introduction to Japanese phonetic writing

EXCERPTED FROM THE MOBILE APP

Kana Keys: A comprehensive course in Japanese phonetic writing

Andrew Scott Conning

LEXICA GLOBAL LANGUAGE SYSTEMS ようこそ

WELCOME

apanese is a rich and fascinating language. Among its many extraordinary qualities is its unique script, which combines two parallel phonetic syllabaries (kana) with Chinese characters (kanji), Roman letters (rōmaji) and Arabic Jnumerals (Arabia sūji). Mastering kana is the essential first step in learning Japanese, meriting top priority so that the other aspects of the language can be studied by means of kana, rather than via the ill-advised expedient of rōmaji transliteration.

The information in this free Kana Crash Course is excerpted from the Kana Keys course set - comprising the Kana Keys mobile app, the Kana Keys Workbook, and The Ultimate Kana Wall Chart -- which together are designed to ensure that you achieve advanced proficiency in reading, writing, and collating complete kana words. These tools also ensure that you master the standard rōmaji spellings required to input Japanese text on an alphabetical keyboard.

Kana Keys is unique among kana learning tools for its comprehensive, self-guiding, and effortlessly self-reinforcing curriculum. Completing its 40-hour course of study will leave you far better prepared for the rigors of reading, writing, and collating Japanese words than conventional kana study tools, which tend to cover only basic aspects of kana instruction.

Partly due to these deficiencies, learners all too often assume that they can master the kana in two or three days and move on to other tasks. Though by doing so they save a few days of study up front, they later find themselves unable to read or write kana with confidence, manage the full range of kana combinations and variations, or master the nuanc- es of kana spelling and keyboard input. They also find themselves unable to properly distinguish between similar-look- ing kana, switch confidently between hiragana and katakana as needed, or efficiently locate information indexed in kana order. Kana Keys is designed to remove all these barriers from the start, and in a focused, efficient, and systematic manner.

If you find Kana Keys helpful, please also take full advantage of the widely praised Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course. In it you will find the same meticulous curation that has gone into developing this Kana Keys curriculum, multiplied by a degree of magnitude corresponding to the 2,300 characters it contains. By developing a comprehensive, efficient, and pedagogically sound system for remembering kanji meanings and understanding how they are used in forming compounds, the kanji course makes it possible for all learners to attain genuine literacy in Japanese.

Whatever path you choose to follow in learning Japanese, I welcome you to a challenging and extremely rewarding adventure, and wish you the very best.

Sincerely, Andrew Scott Conning

Connect with Andrew at [email protected] linkedin.com/in/andrewscottconning

Connect with other learners at keystojapanese.com Home base for learning kana & kanji

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS

あ/A 1. JAPANESE PHONETIC WRITING 日本語の表音文字体系 7

2. GOJŪON COLLATION ORDER 五十音順 13

3. GUIDE TO THE KANA KEYS COURSE 学習指導 15

4. KANA KEYS STUDY SCHEDULES 学習スケジュール 17

5 あ/A

1. JAPANESE PHONETIC WRITING ・日本語の表音文字体系

Introduction The term “kana” (仮名) refers to syllabic scripts used to represent the sounds of the Japanese language. The earliest kana was the man’yōgana (万葉仮名), a set of Chinese characters the Japanese borrowed in the seventh century as phonetic symbols for similar native sounds. As these complex ideographs proved unsuitable for the transcription of a polysyllabic tongue, the Japanese soon invented two sets of phonetic kana symbols: the relatively curvy hiragana (adapted from cursive man’yōgana), and the more angular katakana (adapted from fragments of man’yōgana).

Modern Japanese is written in a combination of hiragana, katakana, and Chinese characters (kanji), along with Roman letters (rōmaji) and Arabic numerals (Arabia sūji). Kanji are used mainly for Chinese-derived nouns, proper nouns, and the stems of native verbs and adjectives. Hiragana are used for all types of native words not written in kanji, and for the inflected endings following a kanji stem, known asokurigana (e.g., the「く」 in 巻く). Katakana are used mainly for West- ern loanwords, scientific names (such as names of species), sound-mimicking words, and emphasis (like italics). Rōmaji are used mainly for alphabetical abbreviations (GHQ, ISO) and foreign names.

The rōmaji spellings in this booklet follow the widely used Hepburn system, which best approximates Japanese sounds for speakers of English and Romance languages. In addition to Hepburn, you may sometimes come across spellings based on the competing Kunrei system, especially in writing by native Japanese. Kunrei spellings can generally be deduced from the tables that follow by combining each character’s alphabetical row and column headings (e.g., t + ya = tya, corresponding to Hepburn’s more phonetically instructive cha).

To input Japanese on an alphabetical keyboard, it is possible – and in a few cases necessary – to use non-Hepburn spellings. Kana Keys always lists Hepburn spellings, but also notes in angular brackets any non-Hepburn spellings required for keyboard input.

Native Japanese syllables The table on the next page displays the kana characters and Hepburn romanization for all native Japanese syllables, divided between 清音 seion (“clear [unvoiced] sounds”) and 濁音 dakuon (“turbid [voiced] sounds“). For the purpose of learning kana, we can somewhat loosely use the term seion here to refer to syllables that are not followed by diacritic voicing marks (though some of these syllables in fact have voiced consonants). Similarly, we can loosely use the term dakuon to refer to syllables that do have such marks.

Seion and dakuon are each further divided into one-character 直音 chokuon (“straight sounds”) and two-character 拗音 yōon (“bending sounds”). Yōon are contractions formed by adding a small version of a Y-row kana, such as ょ yo, to an I-column kana, such as き ki. This eliminates the i sound, leaving the one-syllable きょ kyo (“residence”), not to be confused with the two-syllable きよ kiyo (“contribution”). Kana Keys refers to chokuon as “monographs” and yōon as “digraphs”.

The leftmost column displays the hiragana, katakana, and Hepburn Romanization for all 48 basic Japanese sounds (including two obsolete sounds in parentheses). Because all but one of the sounds can be arranged into a 5×10 grid according to their initial (consonant) and final (vowel) sounds, this table is known as the “fifty sounds table”五十音図 ( gojūonzu). The one misfit sound is syllabicn , a late entrant to Japanese phonology made necessary by the borrowing of words from Chinese.

Excerpted from the mobile app Kana Keys: A Comprehensive Course in Japanese Phonetic Writing. © 2016 by Lexica Global Language Systems, LLC. All rights reserved. 清音 S E I O N 濁音 D A K U O N 五十音 Gojūon (“50 sounds”) Monographs Digraphs Monographs Digraphs 直音 (Chokuon) 拗音 (Yōon) 直音 (Chokuon) 拗音 (Yōon) A I U E O YA YU YO A I U E O YA YU YO The five vowels are pronounced The “50 sounds table” includes four initial consonants that are あいうえお as in Italian. Hepburn spellings unvoiced: k, s, t, and . These become the voiced sounds g, z, Hiragana h offer generally reliable guidance to d, and b when followed by dakuten (濁点), a diacritic resembling アイウエオ pronouncing consonants by English inverted commas ( ゛). In non-technical usage, we can use the a i u e o orthography -- except for r. term dakuon (濁音) to refer to syllabes voiced in this manner. Katakana かきくけこきゃきゅきょがぎぐげごぎゃぎゅぎょ K カキクケコキャキュキョ G ガギグゲゴギャギュギョ ka ki ku ke ko kya kyu kyo ga gi gu ge go gya gyu gyo さしすせそしゃしゅしょざじずぜぞじゃじゅじょ S サシスセソシャシュショ Z ザジズゼゾジャジュジョ sa shi▼ su se so sha▽ shu▽ sho▽ za ji▼ zu ze zo ja▽ ju▽ jo▽ たちつてとちゃちゅちょだぢづでどぢゃぢゅぢょ

T タチツテトチャチュチョ D ダヂヅデドヂャヂュヂョ ji ● zu ● ja▽ ju▽ jo▽ ta chi▼ tsu▼ te to cha▽ chu▽ cho▽ da de do [di] [du] [dya] [dyu] [dyo] ぢ and づ are pronounced identically to じ and ず in the Z row, though key- なにぬねのにゃにゅにょ board input requires “d”. See the blue inset for details on the D row. N ナニヌネノニャニュニョばびぶべぼびゃびゅびょ na ni nu ne no nya nyu nyo B バビブベボビャビュビョはひふへほひゃひゅひょ ba bi bu be bo bya byu byo H ハヒフヘホヒャヒュヒョぱぴぷぺぽぴゃぴゅぴょ

▼ ha hi fu he ho hya hyu hyo P パピプペポピャピュピョまみむめもみゃみゅみょ pa pi pu pe po pya pyu pyo M マミムメモミャミュミョ The circular handakuten (半濁点) ( ゜) changes the initial h to p, which though unvoiced is known as a “semi-voiced sound” (半濁音 handakuon). ma mi mu me mo mya myu myo ▽ ▼ ● Irregular readings & spellings Phonetically irregular Syllables marked with superscripts have irregular romanization: やゆ Blank cells: よ particles: When used as ▽ Hepburn departs from the “initial” and/or “final” to better represent the Japanese sentence particles, は/へ has no yi, syllable’s reading. For example, it represents ちゃ・チャ (initial t + finalya ) Y ヤユ ye, or wu ヨ are read & spelled wa/e. を, as cha, not tya. Initials & finals can always be used for keyboard input, sounds used only as a particle, is sometimes saving strokes. Where shown in brackets, they are required. ya yu yo o read & spelled . ▼ Ditto, plus the kana is phonetically irregular vis-à-vis its row. らりるれろりゃりゅりょ ● Ditto ▼, plus Kunrei also drops or replaces the “initial”. R ラリルレロリャリュリョ D-row peculiarities: While there are D-row kana pronounced ji & zu, these sounds are usually written with their Z-row forms. The ra ri ru re ro rya ryu ryo D-row forms are only used to indicate the repetition voicing of Gray font indicates obsolete T-row ち or つ (as in ちぢめる chijimeru or つづく tsuzuku), or their わ (ゐ) (ゑ) を sounds (wi & we) or unused liaison voicing (as in みぢかい mijikai, from み mi + ちかい chikai; kana (kata ヲ o, hira みゅ myu or よこづな yokozuna, from よこ yoko + つな tsuna). As these ワ (ヰ) (ヱ) ヲ & several D-row syllables). W exceptions are specific to Japanese,ヂ & ヅ are not normally used. を must be typed wo, and is ● ● ● D-row yōon normally go unused even in cases of repetition/liaison wa i e o often romanized that way to [wi] [we] [wo] distinguish it from お o. voicing; e.g., いちにち + ちゅう is usually written いちにちじゅう. ん Typing syllabic n: To input syllabic n (ん/ン) on a keyboard, one may かねん kanen (flammable) type “kanenn” type either “n” or “nn” prior to a period, a comma or another kana かんえん kan’en* (hepatitis) type “kannenn” that is not in the vowel, Y or N rows. Otherwise, one must type “nn” (a かんねん kannen (notion) type “kannnenn” ン simpler rule is always to type “nn”). Thus to type a finalん /ン followed かんや kan’ya* (cold winter’s night) type “kannya” by an N-row kana, one must type “nnn”, as in こんな konna (typed * Hepburn spelling requires an apostrophe between syllabic n and n “konnna”). Practice inputting the words in the next column: vowels or y.

Tokushuon To more accurately transcribe foreign sounds not used in their language, the Japanese have developed a special system of phonetic combinations unique to katakana. All but one of these 特殊音 tokushuon (“special sounds” or transcription katakana) are digraphs formed by joining a small katakana vowel or ユ yu to a standard katakana; the character’s small size identifies it as a combining form rather than a stand-alone syllable. For example, the compound フェ fe, (from fu + small e) is used in transcribing “café” カフェ kafe, which otherwise would have to be rendered rather poorly as カヘ kahe or カフエ kafue.

If the initial character in such a combination is not itself a vowel, its final vowel sound is generally displaced by the small vowel that follows, as illustrated by フェ fe above. The exceptional combinations in which the initial character’s vowel is preserved include クィ kwi, クェ kwe, and クォ kwo, but these, not coincidentally, are also frequently written as a combination of two standard katakana (クイ, クエ, クオ).

The table below displays the Hepburn Romanization and katakana for all tokushuon:

特殊音 T O K U S H U O N (Alternative kana spellings) [Special rōmaji for keyboard input]

A I U E O YU YE クィクェクォ Kw (クイ) (クエ) (クオ) kwi kwe kwo シェ S she▽ ジェ Z je▽ テュティトゥチェ ti tu (チュ) T che▽ [texi] [toxu] tyu [texyu] ツァツィツェツォ Typing Hepburn or Kunrei spell- Ts tsa tsi tse tso ings generally produces small-form kana as needed, due to standard ディドゥデュ rōmaji-kana conversion rules in soft- D di du dyu ware. In a few cases, it is necessary [dexi] [doxu] [dexyu] to preface the small form with a ファフィフェフォフュ system-designated character such as F fa fi fe fo fyu “x” or “l”, as in the bracketed rōma- ji. The section below on Inputting イェ small kana gives further information. Y ye ウィウェウォ V-row tokushuon are mildly unorthodox alternatives to the B-row kana (バ, ビ, wo W (ウイ) (ウエ) ブ, etc.) for transcribing the English “v” [uxo] wi we sound, even though the latter are pho- ヴァヴィヴヴェヴォヴュ netically less similar. Thus “valve” is still V (バ) (ビ) (ブ) (ベ) (ボ) (ビュ) generally transcribed as バルブ rather va vi vu ve vo vyu than ヴァルヴ, even though this renders it indistinguishable from “bulb”. The lone tokushuon monograph is ヴ vu, formed by adding a dakuten to ウ u.

Long vowels Long vowels in native Japanese words are indicated in the following ways:

1. To extend a, i, or u, the corresponding vowel is added: まあ mā かなしい kanashii くうき kūki 2. To extend o, う is added (though its phonetic value is お): そう sō こうじ kōji except for a handful of special exceptions in which お is added, such as おおきい ōkii おおい ōi 3. To extend e, either an え or (more frequently) an い is added: へえ hē ええと ēto めいし meishi せいさん seisan

To input long vowels of native Japanese words on a keyboard, simply type the rōmaji equivalent of each kana.

Katakana follows the above rules for the writing of native Japanese words. But for indicating long vowels in foreign loanwords, a long dash known as the chōonpu (長音符) – typed with the dash key – is used to extend the final vowel of the preceding kana: サービス sābisu “service” [type: sa–bisu] スープ sūpu “soup” [type: su–pu] メール mēru “e-mail” [type: me–ru] グループ gurūpu “group” [type: guru–pu] ソーセージ sōsēji “sausage” [type: so–se–ji]

In Hepburn Romanization, all long vowels are indicated by a flat line (macron) above the vowel, except for the ei combination (see meishi and seisan above) and the doubled i in native Japanese words (see kanashii and ōkii above).

Some instances of vowel extensions are not in fact “long vowels” but rather consecutive vowels from separate morphemes (these should not be Romanized with a macron): 1. any extensions of o or u resulting from a う verb ending: ぬう nuu “sew” くるう kuruu “go crazy” まよう mayou “get lost” きそう kisou “compete” 2. any other coupling of separate morphemes: はあく haaku “grasp” (from ha “grip” + aku “grasp”) みずうみ mizuumi “lake” (from mizu “water” + umi “sea”) かれえだ kareeda “dead branch” (from kare “dead” + eda “branch”) ほおん hoon “thermal” (from ho “conserve” + on “warm”) こうし koushi “calf” (from ko “small” + ushi “ox”) Within loanwords, all long vowels (even i) are Romanized with macrons: コーヒー kōhī “coffee” セーター sētā “sweater” スープ sūpu “soup”

Double consonants The initial consonants of kana in the K, S, T, and P rows can be doubled by prefacing them with a small tsu っ/ッ. Unlike the full-size つ/ツ, these small tsu markers – known as sokuon (促音) – do not represent the sound tsu but rather a slight pause: サッカー sakkā “soccer” メッシ Messhi “Messi” セット setto “set” タッチ tatchi “touch” チップ chippu “tip, gratuity” さっか (作家) sakka “writer” けっきょく (結局) kekkyoku “in the end, eventually” ちっそ (窒素) chisso “nitrogen” いっしょ (一緒) issho “the same” わかった (分かった) wakatta “Got it, OK” まっちゃ (抹茶) matcha “powdered green tea” はっぱ (葉っぱ) happa “leaf”

In katakana loanwords, other consonants may also be doubled: バッグ baggu “bag” バッハ bahha “Bach”

Though not classified assokuon , a “doubling” effect for initial n consonants is achieved by prefacing them with ん/ン: みんな (皆) minna “everyone” ペンネ penne “penne”

In all such cases, the ん/ン represents an extra n sound rather than a pause. Note that the initial n cannot be doubled by adding っ/ッ: WRONG みっな minna WRONG ペッネ penne

Glottal stops When small っ/ッ appears at the end of a word, it indicates a glottal stop: あっ! Ah! “Oh!” えっ? Eh! “Huh?”

Inputting small kana As noted above, typing Hepburn or Kunrei spellings generally produces small-form kana as needed, due to standard rōmaji-kana conversion rules in software. In cases where one must manually produce a small kana (such as when using っ to signal a glottal stop), it is necessary to preface the small form with a system-designated character such as “x” or “l”. This is important to remember for typing the following tokushuon, whose Hepburn spellings would instead generate the output shown in the far right column:

Tokushuon Keyboard input Hepburn spelling Katakana output of Hepburn spelling ティ texi ti チディ dexi di ヂテュ texyu tyu チュデュ dexyu dyu ヂュトゥ toxu tu ツドゥ doxu du ヅウォ uxo wo ヲ

Stroke order and stroke count The workbook provides a guide character for every basic kana character in the course, with stroke order numbers positioned at the beginning of each stroke. Follow the guide character closely. Always write kana strokes in the conventional direction and order, as both are essential to writing legibly and learning to read cursive.

For hiragana it is common in handwriting – and even in typeface – for nominally separate strokes to run together. An extreme example is ふ, which can be shown with all four separate strokes, with only three strokes, or even in a single cursive stroke. To bring such variations to your attention, the workbook displays each kana in four typefaces.

Kana sources The tables below illustrate the origins of hiragana and katakana in the the man’yōgana:

Man’yōgana Sources of the Kana

Hiragana Katakana

Use of these images is governed by the GNU Free Documentation License, version 1.2. These images may be accessed or downloaded @ commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hiragana_origin.svg & ...Katakana_origine.svg

11 2. GOJŪON COLLATION ORDER ・五十音順

Knowledge of kana order is essential for using Japanese, just as knowledge of alphabetical order is essential for using alphabet-based languages. The kana base characters are most commonly ordered according to the 五十音 gojūon (“fifty sounds”) table, which arranges the characters into a 5×10 grid according to their initial (consonant) and final (vowel) sounds:

To master gojūon order, you need only memorize the 五十音順 Gojūon order sequence of the table’s first column A I U E O a-ka-sa-ta-na-ha-ma-ya-ra-wa-n あいうえお and first row a i u e o a-i-u-e-o. かきくけこ K ka ki ku ke ko Combining these two sequences, it is possible for you to さしすせそ locate any information collated in gojūon order. S sa shi▼ su se so たちつてと Follow these steps to master this important skill: T ta chi▼ tsu▼ te to 1. Memorize a-i-u-e-o order, and practice it by reciting なにぬねの N each row, firsta -i-u-e-o, then ka-ki-ku-ke-ko, and so na ni nu ne no forth. Take special care when reciting the phonetically はひふへほ irregular sounds (shi, chi, tsu, fu, and o), as well as H ▼ ha hi fu he ho the Y and W rows, which have missing and/or obso- まみむめも M lete kana. ma mi mu me mo やゆよ 2. Memorize a-ka-sa-ta-na-ha-ma-ya-ra-wa-n order. Y ya yu yo An excellent way to master this longer sequence is to らりるれろ sing The Galloping Gojūon, a mnemonic verse set to R ra ri ru re ro the famous finale of Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” わ (ゐ) (ゑ) を (also known as “The March of the Swiss Soldiers” and W wa i ● e ● o ● as the theme music of The Lone Ranger): [wi] [we] [wo] a∙ka∙sa, ta∙na∙ha, ma∙ya∙ra∙wa∙n ん Superscript symbols are a∙ka∙sa, ta∙na∙ha, ma∙ya∙ra∙wa∙n explained in the main kana a∙ka∙sa, ta∙na∙ha, ma∙ya∙ra∙wa∙n— n tables in Chapter 1 a∙i∙u— e∙o: go∙jū∙o∙n!

Gojūon order progresses row-by-row through the table, The last line incorporates the a∙i∙u∙e∙o sequence, which starting with in repeating the refrain can be successively replaced by あ a い i う u え e お o ka∙ki∙ku∙ke∙ko, sa∙shi∙su∙se∙so, and so forth, allowing then you to practice the gojūon table’s vertical and horizontal か ka き ki く ku け ke こ ko sequences together in the same song. Naturally, you’ll need at first to slow the tempo way down, but soon your and so forth through the ten rows, plus ん n. There are gojūon will be galloping along like a horseman riding to no kana corresponding to the theoretical combinations the rescue! yi, ye, or wu, and the kana for i [wi] (ゐ) and e [we] (ゑ) are no longer used.

3. Practice kana collation with the “Gojūon Lookup” The following collated word list illustrates these rules: tests in the “Comprehensive Tests” section of the は ha Main Menu of the Kana Keys app. These tests ば ba require you to locate specified words by scrolling ぱ pa through an index. ばかり bakari はち hachi Along with the comprehensive writing test, the ばっかり bakkari “Gojūon Lookup” tests are the most challenging in はっきり hakkiri the Kana Keys course. A few of the words given in はっさい hassai the tests may require you to consider finer points of ばっちり batchiri kana-based indexing, including the collation of the はっぱ happa small っ/ッ or unvoiced vs. voiced sounds. At this ばっぱい bappai point in your studies, you need not concern yourself はっぱぎし happagishi with mastering these fine distinctions, but it is helpful はと hato to know that they exist. Although there are no univer- はは haha sal conventions regarding these fine points, do note はば haba the rules followed in the simulated index within the ばば baba app’s Gojūon Lookup test: ばばあ babā ばばさき babasaki 1. The small っ/ッ for doubling consonants is collated ぱぱっと papatto identically to full-size つ/ツ (tsu): ばばぬき babanuki はち hachi はっきり hakkiri はと hato

However, full-size つ precedes small っ if two words are otherwise equivalent: はつか hatsuka はっか hakka

2. Voiced and unvoiced variants are collated identically: は ha ば ba ぱ pa ばか baka はち hachi はは haha

except to break ties, in which case a. an unvoiced kana precedes its dakuon (voiced) variant: か – が ka, ga そ – ぞ so, zo は – ば ha, ba etc.

b. dakuon ば precedes handakuon (semi- voiced) ぱ.

To find words that begin with voiced sounds, search the Gojūon Lookup index (or most real-life indexes) in the section of the corresponding unvoiced sound (e.g., look for ジーンズ under シ and ペルシャ under へ).

A thoroughly curated curriculum Kana Keys provides a carefully crafted curriculum designed to make it easier than ever to master the kana. To progress most efficiently,follow the sequence provided in the app, first completing the Overview (equivalent to chapters 1 and 3 of this booklet), then the Hiragana and Katakana Courses, and finally the Comprehensive Tests (including the Gojūon Lookup Tests). The study schedules in the next section make it easy to organize your studies according to your own preferred pace.

The Hiragana and Katakana units are referred to as “courses” because they provide a self-guiding, step-by-step curriculum. Both courses begin with basic characters, then cover variants used for contractions and voiced sounds, and conclude with a series of tips on differentiating between easily confused kana. Within each kana set, tapping the app’s “Study” button initiates a sequential lesson that progresses row-by-row through the set. The lessons teach you to read, write, and pronounce each kana, and familiarize you with a selection of useful example words that allow you to learn kana within the context of authentic Japanese. These example words incorporate only kana you will have already learned, making the course both streamlined and effortlessly self-reinforcing.

Within the Katakana Course, the unit on Tokushuon teaches you a group of special katakana combinations used in the transcription of non-Japanese words. This unit – adapted from the set of transcription katakana recognized by the Jap- anese government – includes all the combinations you can expect to regularly encounter in reading Japanese.

While the built-in study sequence is designed to maximize your learning efficiency, Kana Keys also allows youcustom - ize your learning in various ways. To select specific rows of kana to study, simply tap on the rows’ initial consonants on the Lessons pages within the app. You can also study any of the individual kana from that page by tapping on it.

To ensure you remember everything you study, a review drill appears after every row (usually consisting of 3-5 kana) requiring you to both recognize and produce each kana before proceeding further. These drills also require you to read and write complete Japanese words containing the kana you have just studied. Conveniently, these drills continu- ously reinforce your knowledge of kana studied in previous rows. They also allow you to master a vocabulary of over 1,000 words, if you require yourself to remember the English equivalent of each kana example word.

At the conclusion of each lesson, a varied sequence of Lesson Tests (reading, writing, fill in the blank, and timed recognition) ensures that you have thoroughly mastered the set before proceeding to the next one. At the conclusion of the kana courses, a series of Comprehensive Tests ensures that you are truly ready to meet the challenges of phonetic reading and writing in real-world Japanese.

An exceptional feature of this course is the lesson and tests on Gojūon Collation, an essential skill for organizing and locating information in Japanese. Additional features include special units on Easily Confused Hiragana and Easily Confused Katakana, and Examples Lists for convenient reference or self-testing.

14 GUIDE TO THE KANA KEYS COURSE

Which to study first – hiragana or katakana? In keeping with typical curricula for introductory Japanese courses, the Hiragana Course precedes the Kataka- na Course in the Main Menu. Yet the two courses are completely independent and non-cumulative (other than a handful of hiragana embedded in example words for katakana characters). If you are already in Japan or are about to travel there, consider studying the katakana first, as these will be more immediately useful to you. On the other hand, if you are enrolled in a Japanese course, there may be strong reasons to start with hiragana (con- sult with your teacher).

How to study Launch the app, and confirm that the voice files are activated in the Settings menu (and that your device’s sound is turned on). Within either the Hiragana Course or Katakana Course, open the first lesson and tap the “Study” button, or the initial consonant of a row you would like to study.

When you reach the first “Study Card” (a screen containing a pencil icon), open the workbook to the page corresponding to the lesson and row you have opened in the app, and practice writing the kana in the spaces provided. Follow the guide character closely. If you do not have the workbook and a writing instrument at hand, tap the pencil icon to use the Writing Practice Tool built into the app.

When you have finished the writing practice for a character, swipe the app forward to the next screen, try to remember the sound of the new character shown, then swipe again to display its Study Card and hear its pronun- ciation. Use the next column in the workbook to practice writing it.

When you reach a Study Card that contains examples (starting from the second character in the Hiragana Course and the sixth character in the Katakana Course), try to pronounce them, then tap the Uncollapse button to confirm their readings and view any notes that may be provided for that character.

Repeat this process for each character in the row, until you reach the drill at the end of the row. Do the reading portions of the drill with the app alone. For the writing portions of the drill, do not use the writing field within the app; instead, use the row’s drill section in the workbook. When you have finished writing the character or word being drilled, tap outside the writing field in the app to display the answer. Tap the green bar if you have written the character or word correctly, or the red bar if you have written it incorrectly. Items answered incorrectly will appear again at the end of the drill, until answered correctly.

Repeat the above pattern with each row in the lesson. When you have completed the lesson, the workbook will prompt you with instructions for taking the tests corresponding to that lesson. Take these tests in the order shown in the Study Schedules. Use the app alone for the reading tests (these are marked “あ → A” in the app), fill in the blanks test, and timed recognition test. For the writing tests (A → あ), proceed as with the writing drills, using the lesson test sections provided in the workbook. As with the drill sections for each row, the lesson test sections provide extra squares for spacing and repeating items.

When you have completed both kana courses, use the Comprehensive Tests to practice reading and writing both hiragana and katakana at once, just as you will need to do in real-life Japanese. The penultimate chapter of the workbook provides space for completing as many of the Comprehensive Writing Tests as you like.

15 4. KANA KEYS STUDY SCHEDULES ・学習スケジュール

Select one of the study schedules in this section to organize your studies according to your own preferred pace. The table on this page, translated into Japanese as a courtesy to instructors, makes it easy to map out a study plan to match a fixed timeframe, such as an academic term.

先生方へ：学生たちの仮名学習計画を立てるため、本章において四つのスケジュールを提供します。本ページの比較表をご利用いただけば、学期に合わせた学習プランを簡単に作成することができます。

Table of study schedules 学習スケジュールの比較 See individual study schedules for assignments 詳細は個々の課程表参照

100 mins. 90 mins. 80 mins. 60 mins. 100分 90分 80分 60分 × × × × × × × × ≅ ≅ ≅ ≅ ≅24 lessons 27≅ lessons 30≅ lessons 40≅ lessons 24課 27課 30課 40課

6 days 4 les./day 6 日間毎日４課

8 days 3 les./day 8 日間毎日３課

9 days 3 les./day 9 日間毎日３課

12 days 2 les./day 12 日間毎日２課

13.5 days 2 les./day 13.5 日間毎日２課 15 days 2 les./day 15 日間毎日２課

20 days 2 les./day 20 日間毎日２課

24 days 1 les./day 24 日間毎日１課

27 days 1 les./day 27 日間毎日１課

30 days 1 les./day 30 日間毎日１課

40 days 1 les./day 40 日間毎日１課

6 wks 4 les./week 5 les./week 6 週間毎週４課毎週５課

7 wks 4 les./week 7 週間毎週４課

8 wks 3 les./week 5 les./week 8 週間毎週３課毎週５課

9 wks 3 les./week 9 週間毎週３課

10 wks 3 les./week 4 les./week 10 週間毎週３課毎週４課

12 wks 2 les./week 12 週間毎週２課

13.3 wks 3 les./week 13.3 週間毎週３課 13.5 wks 2 les./week 13.5 週間毎週２課

15 wks 2 les./week 15 週間毎週２課

20 wks 2 les./week 20 週間毎週２課

16 STUDY SCHEDULES

Kana Keys in lessons of about 100 minutes ・毎回約１００分の学習スケジュール 24 lessons ・ 24 課

OVERVIEW ・紹介 Seion/ Writing tests Syllables (A→あ) Japanese Phonetic Writing Tests/ Example words 1, 2 1:38 1 1:30 14 Guide to This Course Monographs Fill in the blanks Other tests ≅ ≅ (continued) Timed recognition HIRAGANA COURSE ・平仮名コース Seion/Lessons/ Study All rows あ Row - さ Row 2 1:36 Digraphs sequences Seion/ た Row - は Row 3 1:56 Study ≅ Reading tests Shuffled table Lessons/ 15 1:49 sequences ま Row - ら Row 4 ≅ 1:37 (あ→A) Monographs Example words わ Row - ん Seion/ ≅ ≅ Writing tests Syllables Tests/ Reading tests Shuffled table (A→あ) Example words Digraphs (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 5 1:38 Fill in the blanks Other tests Seion/ Syllables ≅ Timed recognition 16 1:36 Writing tests / Example words 1 Tests (A→あ) Dakuon/Lessons/ Study ガ Row - ザ Row ≅ Example words 2 Monographs Monographs sequences ダ Row - パ Row 17 1:46 Fill in the blanks ≅ Other tests 1:46 Reading tests Shuffled table Timed recognition 6 (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 ≅ Seion/Lessons/ きゃ Row - にゃ Row Dakuon/ Study Writing tests Syllables Digraphs sequences Tests/ 18 1:31 ひゃ Row - りゃ Row (A→あ) Example words 1, 2 Monographs ≅ Reading tests Shuffled table Fill in the blanks Other tests (あ→A) Example words Timed recognition Seion/ Syllables Writing tests Dakuon/Lessons/ Study / 7 1:52 All rows Tests (A→あ) Example words Digraphs sequences Digraphs ≅ Fill in the blanks Shuffled table Other tests Reading tests Timed recognition (あ→A) Example words Dakuon/ 19 1:30 Dakuon/ が Row Writing tests Syllables Study Tests/ ≅ Lessons/ ざ Row - だ Row 8 1:26 (A→あ) Example words sequences Digraphs Monographs ば Row - ぱ Row Fill in the blanks ≅ Other tests Timed recognition Reading tests Shuffled table (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 9 2:06 Tokushuon/ Study クィ Row - ディ Row 20 1:24 sequences Dakuon/ Syllables ≅ Lessons ファ Row - ヴァ Row 21 ≅ 1:25 Writing tests / Example words 1 ≅ Tests (A→あ) Reading tests Shuffled table Monographs Example words 2 (あ→A) Example words Fill in the blanks Tokushuon/ Writing tests Syllables Other tests 22 1:15 Timed recognition Tests (A→あ) Example words ≅ Dakuon/Lessons/ Study Fill in the blanks All rows Other tests Digraphs sequences Timed recognition Reading tests Shuffled table 10 1:51 COMPREHENSIVE TESTS ・総合試験 (あ→A) Example words ≅ Dakuon/ Reading Tests 1 - 3 Writing tests Syllables 23 1:30 / Writing Tests 1 - 6 Tests (A→あ) Example words Digraphs ≅ Fill in the blanks ・ Other tests GOJŪON COLLATION 五十音順 Timed recognition Gojūon Collation Lesson ・ Gojūon Hiragana 5 tests KATAKANA COURSE 片仮名コース 24 1:55 Lookup Katakana 5 tests ア Row - タ Row Seion/ 11 1:30 Tests ≅ Study Mixed 10 tests / ナ Row - マ Row 1:48 Lessons sequences 12 ≅ Monographs ヤ Row - ン ≅

Seion/Tests/ Reading tests Shuffled table 13 1:45 Monographs (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 ≅

17 STUDY SCHEDULES

Kana Keys in lessons of about 90 minutes ・毎回約９０分の学習スケジュール 27 lessons ・ 27 課

OVERVIEW ・紹介 Seion/ Writing tests Syllables (A→あ) Japanese Phonetic Writing Tests/ Example words 1, 2 1:38 1 1:30 16 Guide to This Course Monographs Fill in the blanks Other tests ≅ ≅ (continued) Timed recognition HIRAGANA COURSE ・平仮名コース Seion/Lessons/ Study All rows あ Row - さ Row 2 1:36 Digraphs sequences Seion/ Study た Row - は Row 3 ≅ 1:16 Shuffled table Lessons/ Reading tests sequences ま Row - ら Row 4 ≅ 1:40 (あ→A) Monographs Example words わ Row - ん Seion/ 17 1:54 ≅ Writing tests Syllables Tests/ ≅ Reading tests Shuffled table 5 1:29 (A→あ) Example words Digraphs (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 ≅ Fill in the blanks Other tests Seion/ Syllables Timed recognition Writing tests / Example words 1 Tests (A→あ) Dakuon/Lessons/ Study ガ Row - ザ Row 18 1:31 Monographs Example words 2 6 1:40 sequences Monographs ダ Row - パ Row 19 ≅ 1:46 Fill in the blanks ≅ Other tests Reading tests Shuffled table ≅ Timed recognition (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 Seion/Lessons/ Study Dakuon/ All rows 7 1:27 Writing tests Syllables Digraphs sequences / 20 1:31 Tests (A→あ) ≅ Example words 1, 2 Shuffled table Monographs ≅ Reading tests Fill in the blanks (あ→A) Example words Other tests Timed recognition Seion/ Writing tests Syllables / Dakuon/Lessons/ Study Tests (A→あ) All rows Example words 8 1:18 sequences Digraphs Digraphs Fill in the blanks ≅ Other tests Reading tests Shuffled table Timed recognition (あ→A) Example words が Row Dakuon/ 21 1:30 Dakuon/ Writing tests Syllables Study Tests/ ≅ Lessons/ ざ Row - だ Row 9 1:26 (A→あ) Example words sequences Digraphs Monographs ば Row - ぱ Row 10 ≅ 1:21 Fill in the blanks Other tests Reading tests Shuffled table ≅ Timed recognition (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 Tokushuon/ Study クィ Row - ディ Row 22 1:24 Syllables Dakuon/ sequences ファ Row - ヴァ Row 23 1:25 Writing tests Lessons ≅ Tests/ Example words 1 11 1:31 (A→あ) Reading tests Shuffled table ≅ Monographs Example words 2 ≅ (あ→A) Example words Fill in the blanks Other tests Tokushuon/ Writing tests Syllables Timed recognition 24 1:15 Tests (A→あ) Example words Dakuon/Lessons/ Study ≅ All rows Fill in the blanks Digraphs sequences Other tests Timed recognition Reading tests Shuffled table (あ→A) Example words COMPREHENSIVE TESTS ・総合試験 Dakuon/ 12 1:05 Writing tests Syllables Reading Tests 1 - 3 / ≅ 25 1:30 Tests (A→あ) Example words Writing Tests 1 - 6 Digraphs ≅ Fill in the blanks Other tests GOJŪON COLLATION ・五十音順 Timed recognition Gojūon Collation Lesson

KATAKANA COURSE ・片仮名コース Gojūon Hiragana 5 tests 26 0:55 Lookup Seion/ ア Row - タ Row 13 1:30 Katakana 5 tests ≅ Study Tests / ナ Row - マ Row 1:48 Mixed 10 tests 27 1:00 Lessons sequences 14 ≅ Monographs ヤ Row - ン ≅ ≅

Seion/Tests/ Reading tests Shuffled table 15 1:45 Monographs (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 ≅ 18 STUDY SCHEDULES

Kana Keys in lessons of about 80 minutes ・毎回約８０分の学習スケジュール 30 lessons ・ 30 課

OVERVIEW ・紹介 Seion/ Writing tests Syllables (A→あ) Japanese Phonetic Writing Tests/ Example words 1, 2 18 1:33 1:30 1 Monographs Fill in the blanks ≅ Guide to This Course Other tests ≅ (continued) Timed recognition HIRAGANA COURSE ・平仮名コース Seion/Lessons/ Study 19 1:27 All rows あ Row - さ Row 2 1:36 Digraphs sequences ≅ Seion/ Study た Row - は Row 3 ≅ 1:16 Shuffled table Lessons/ Reading tests sequences ま Row - ら Row 4 ≅ 1:17 (あ→A) Monographs Example words わ Row - ん 5 1:21 Seion/ ≅ Writing tests Syllables Tests/ Reading tests Shuffled table ≅ (A→あ) Example words Digraphs 20 1:16 (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 Fill in the blanks ≅ 6 1:17 Other tests Seion/ Syllables Timed recognition Writing tests ≅ / Example words 1 Tests (A→あ) ガ Row Example words 2 Dakuon/Lessons/ Study Monographs ザ Row - ダ Row 21 1:14 Monographs sequences Fill in the blanks バ Row - パ Row 22 ≅ 1:18 Other tests 1:19 Timed recognition 7 Shuffled table ≅ ≅ Reading tests Seion/Lessons/ Study きゃ Row - しゃ Row (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 Digraphs sequences ちゃ Row - りゃ Row Dakuon/ Writing tests Syllables Tests/ 23 1:31 Shuffled table (A→あ) Example words 1, 2 Reading tests 8 1:11 Monographs ≅ (あ→A) Example words Fill in the blanks Seion/ ≅ Other tests Writing tests Syllables Timed recognition / Tests (A→あ) Example words Dakuon/Lessons/ Study Digraphs All rows Fill in the blanks Digraphs sequences Other tests 1:09 Timed recognition 9 Reading tests Shuffled table ≅ 24 1:28 Dakuon/ が Row (あ→A) Example words Study Dakuon/ ≅ Lessons/ ざ Row - だ Row 10 1:26 Writing tests Syllables sequences Tests/ Monographs ば Row - ぱ Row 11 1:21 (A→あ) Example words ≅ Digraphs Fill in the blanks Reading tests Shuffled table ≅ Other tests (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 Timed recognition 25 1:26 Dakuon/ 12 1:24 Writing tests Syllables Tokushuon/ Study クィ Row - ディ Row ≅ Tests/ ≅ (A→あ) Example words 1, 2 Lessons sequences ファ Row - ヴァ Row 26 1:25 Monographs Fill in the blanks Shuffled table ≅ Other tests Reading tests Timed recognition (あ→A) Example words

Dakuon/Lessons/ Study Syllables All rows Tokushuon/ Writing tests sequences 27 1:15 Digraphs Tests (A→あ) Example words ≅ Reading tests Shuffled table Fill in the blanks 13 1:12 Other tests (あ→A) Example words Timed recognition Dakuon/ ≅ Writing tests Syllables / ・総合試験 Tests (A→あ) Example words COMPREHENSIVE TESTS Digraphs Reading Tests 1 - 3 Fill in the blanks 28 1:30 Other tests Writing Tests 1 - 6 Timed recognition ≅ GOJŪON COLLATION ・五十音順 KATAKANA COURSE ・片仮名コース Gojūon Collation Lesson ア Row - タ Row 14 1:30 Seion/ Gojūon Hiragana 5 tests 29 0:55 Study ナ Row - ハ Row 15 ≅ 1:08 Lessons/ Lookup Katakana 5 tests sequences マヤ ≅ Row - Row 16 ≅ 1:04 Tests Monographs Mixed 10 tests 30 1:00 ラ Row - ン ≅ ≅

Seion/Tests/ Reading tests Shuffled table 17 1:21 Monographs (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 ≅ 19 STUDY SCHEDULES

Kana Keys in lessons of about 60 minutes ・毎回約６０分の学習スケジュール 40 lessons ・ 40 課

OVERVIEW ・紹介 Reading tests Shuffled table (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 Japanese Phonetic Writing (through “Tokushuon”) 1 0:50 / 23 1:17 Seion Syllables Rest of Japanese Phonetic Writing & Guide to This Course 0:40 2 ≅ / Writing tests Tests Example words 1 ≅ ≅ Monographs (A→あ) HIRAGANA COURSE ・平仮名コース Example words 2 (continued) あ Row - か Row 3 1:00 Fill in the blanks 24 1:02 Other tests Seion/ さ Row - た Row 4 ≅ 1:13 Timed recognition Study ≅ Lessons/ な Row - は Row 5 ≅ 1:18 sequences Seion/Lessons/ Study キャ Row - ヒャ Row 25 1:02 ま Row - や Row Monographs 6 ≅ 1:00 Digraphs sequences ミャ Row - リャ Row ≅ ら Row - ん 7 ≅ 0:58 Reading tests Shuffled table Shuffled table ≅ Reading tests (あ→A) Example words (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 Seion/ 8 1:17 Writing tests Syllables 26 0:52 Syllables / Seion/ Tests (A→あ) Writing tests Example words ≅ Example words 1 ≅ Digraphs Tests/ (A→あ) Fill in the blanks Example words 2 Other tests Monographs Timed recognition Fill in the blanks Other tests ガ Row 0:44 Timed recognition 9 1:07 27 Dakuon/Lessons/ Study ザ Row - ダ Row ≅ sequences 28 ≅ 1:14 きゃ Row Monographs バ Row - パ Row Seion/Lessons/ Study 29 ≅ 1:18 しゃ Row - みゃ Row 1:00 sequences 10 Digraphs Reading tests Shuffled table ≅ りゃ Row ≅ (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 Reading tests Shuffled table 30 0:47 Dakuon/ Syllables (あ→A) Example words Writing tests / Example words 1 ≅ Seion/ Tests (A→あ) Writing tests Syllables 11 0:50 Tests/ Monographs Example words 2 (A→あ) Example words ≅ Digraphs Fill in the blanks Fill in the blanks Other tests 31 1:06 Other tests Timed recognition Timed recognition ≅ Dakuon/Lessons/ Study ギャ Row が Row 12 0:41 Digraphs sequences ジャ Row - ピャ Row Dakuon/ ざ Row 13 ≅ 0:43 Study Reading tests Shuffled table Lessons/ だ Row 14 ≅ 0:43 sequences (あ→A) Example words Monographs ば Row 15 ≅ 0:44 Dakuon/ Writing tests Syllables 32 1:08 ぱ Row ≅ Tests/ (A→あ) Example words ≅ Reading tests Shuffled table Digraphs 16 0:58 Fill in the blanks (あ→A) Example words 1, 2 Other tests Dakuon/ ≅ Timed recognition Writing tests Syllables / クィ Row - ツァ Row 1:05 Tests (A→あ) Example words 1, 2 33 Tokushuon/ Study Monographs ディ Row - ウィ Row 34 1:07 Fill in the blanks 17 1:10 sequences ≅ Other tests Lessons ヴァ Row ≅ Timed recognition ≅ Shuffled table Dakuon/Lessons/ Study Reading tests All rows 35 0:53 Digraphs sequences (あ→A) Example words ≅ Syllables Reading tests Shuffled table Tokushuon/ Writing tests (A→あ) (あ→A) Example words Tests Example words Dakuon/ 18 1:05 Fill in the blanks 36 1:00 Writing tests Syllables Other tests / Timed recognition Tests (A→あ) Example words ≅ ≅ Digraphs Fill in the blanks Other tests COMPREHENSIVE TESTS ・総合試験 Timed recognition Reading Tests 1-3 & Writing Tests 1-2 37 0:42 Writing Tests 3-6 KATAKANA COURSE ・片仮名コース 38 ≅ 0:48 ≅ ア Row - サ Row 19 0:52 GOJŪON COLLATION ・五十音順 Seion/ ナ Row - ナ Row 20 ≅ 1:11 Gojūon Collation Lesson Study / ハ Row - マ Row 21 1:14 Lessons sequences ≅ Gojūon Hiragana 5 tests 39 0:55 Monographs ヤ Row - ラ 22 1:04 ≅ Lookup Katakana 5 tests ≅ ワ Row - ン Tests 23 ≅... Mixed 10 tests 40 1:00 ≅ 20 THE KANA KEYS WORKBOOK

Companion to the Kana Keys app

In addition to providing printed versions of the main materials in this booklet, The Kana Keys Workbook integrates several important features to assist learners:

• Ample space for practicing all of Kana Keys’ 235 characters and variants, as well as every one of its drills, lesson tests, and comprehensive tests for kana writing.

• Guidance for mastering proper stroke forms and order. Each basic kana character is displayed with its stroke order. Both the guide characters and the practice squares are cross-hatched to help you achieve precise form.

• Typeface variation. Each character is shown in four dis- tinct typefaces to illustrate the range of variation among proper kana forms.

• Cumulative examples. Each character is shown with its sample vocabulary from the app, incorporating only previously learned characters to provide automatic review.

US $9.99 on Amazon (102 pages)

The Kana Keys Workbook provides the most convenient way to combine the powerful features of the Kana Keys app with the obvious benefits of writing with pen on paper. Following the app’s curriculum lesson by lesson, drill by drill, and test by test, the Workbook makes it easy for you to track your progress and experience a sense of material accomplishment. Whenever possible, use the Workbook for practice, drills, and tests, in lieu of the touch pad writing practice feature built into the app. THE ULTIMATE KANA WALL CHART A visual guide to Japanese phonetic writing

In addition to illustrating the systematic nature of Japa- nese phonology, The Ultimate Kana Wall Chart conveniently integrates numerous elements of kana instruction into a clear, concise, and attractive visual presentation:

• Guidance for alphabetical keyboard input. The chart guides learners in the important task of mastering the Roman spellings required to input Japanese text on an alphabetical keyboard, including guidance on special exceptions and how to save keystrokes.

• Irregular readings and spellings. Special symbols and annotations allow learners to easily identify irregular readings & spellings, and master the different approach- es to typing them.

• Alternative romanization patterns. The principles un- derpinning Hepburn and Kunrei romanization — and the similarities and differences between these two systems — are clarified both graphically and textually.

• Tokushuon (transcription katakana). Unlike most kana charts, this poster displays the special katakana combinations used in the transcription of non-Japanese words, along with a helpful introduction and thorough guidance on alternative kana and irregular spellings required for keyboard input. Workstation size (31×44cm/12.25×17.25in): US$14.99. This compact size is ideal for posting above a desk or • Stroke order. The stroke order for each basic kana laying under a translucent desk pad. Available on Ama- character is subtly displayed for convenient reference. zon: • Kana sources. The chart displays the original source of amzn.to/24vKorE each hiragana and katakana character in the seventh-century Man’yôgana, a set of Chinese characters the Japa- The Ultimate Kana Wall Chart arranges all 249 kana syl- nese borrowed as phonetic symbols. lable variations into an illuminating visual framework that allows learners to readily perceive the underlying phono- • Enlarged characters. The 92 base characters are dis- logical structure of the Japanese language. Its detailed played in large size for viewing at a greater distance. color display reinforces learners’ grasp of kana order and clarifies the principles behind how kana are written, pronounced and romanized. Post it beside your desk — or lay it under a translucent desk pad — for convenient reference as you learn to write and type in Japanese.

Unlike virtually all other kana charts, The Ultimate Kana Wall Chart does not ignore or detach kana variants and combinations, but integrates them into an single framework permitting learners to grasp how the writing system works as a unified whole. Far more than a simple “Fifty sounds table”, this chart systematizes the kana in all their surprising complexity, giving learners a comprehensive view of Japanese sound structure from the standpoint of both Roman letters (important for their use in typing) and native kana. THE KODANSHA KANJI LEARNER’S COURSE A step-by-step guide to mastering 2,300 characters

As a kanji learning tool, this book has no peer… Absolutely essential for all students of Japanese!

– Robert Nagell

Available on Amazon: amzn.to/1Os6OgT

The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course is a step-by-step The ultimate kanji learning resource guide to mastering all the kanji needed for genuine liter- • Provides a sophisticated, pedagogically sound acy in Japanese. The 2,300 entries adeptly integrate the method for remembering the core meaning of each three essential elements for mastering kanji meanings: kanji, conveniently summarized in concise keywords • Accurate keywords. Each character’s core meaning to facilitate memorization. is encapsulated into a concise, easily memorized key- • Introduces the meaning and usage of each graph- word. The keywords for all 2,300 entries have been eme the first time it appears, helping learners seam- carefully chosen to be semantically accurate and to lessly acquire new kanji based on a sound under- integrate the character’s various senses into a core standing of their component parts. concept. • Innovatively uses concrete imagery to simplify com- • Key vocabulary to illustrate meaning and usage. plex characters and make their meanings immediate- The concept captured in each keyword is illustrated ly recognizable in their graphical forms. with up to five sample words and phrases, carefully • Teaches characters in a pedagogically effective selected to clarify how the kanji is used in building sequence, presenting graphically related characters typical words and phrases. together to help learners give significance to their • An unparalleled system of mnemonic aids. Each contrastive features as they learn them, and thereby entry contains an original mnemonic aid that is care- avoid having to re-learn them later. fully designed to help learners remember the char- • Helps learners actively apply each character’s prin- acter’s core meanings. Mnemonic keys pay special cipal meanings and readings using key vocabulary attention to helping learners immediately recognize words, carefully chosen to illustrate the character’s each kanji and distinguish it from similar ones. usage. • Helps learners differentiate among graphically A self-guiding, self-reinforcing curriculum similar kanji by showing how to remember the char- The Course arranges all the information needed to acters in a mutually contrastive manner that connects master 2,300 characters into a streamlined, self-guiding, their graphical distinctions to their underlying seman- and mnemonically self-reinforcing curriculum. The course tic differences. Along the way, the course introduces follows a sequence that aids learning by introducing nearly 800 pairs of easily confused kanji. kanji components step by step, by grouping related kanji • Helps students learn to write kanji accurately, by indi- together, and by teaching kanji in rough order of impor- cating each kanji’s stroke order and placing careful tance. Moreover, sample compounds include only such emphasis on distinctions among similar characters. kanji as have previously been learned. This ensures that • Includes all the kanji needed for genuine literacy. learners are able to understand and use each compound, • Extensive cross-referencing allows learners to easily and provides a built-in review of all the kanji already find the entries of lookalike kanji, as well as all kanji studied. appearing in the sample compounds.