See the Sounds with Phonetic Components and Visual Patterns
NATALIE HAMILTON
#1 Amazon Best Seller, Japanese Instruction
ISBN: 978 0 6484886 06
Twitter: @ocha_natalie
Intermediate students of Japanese are well aware of the term ‘ON reading‘ and know that memorising kanji readings is one of the biggest hurdles when learning to read Japanese. This handbook provides a wealth of information to help you tackle this difficult aspect of kanji study.
So many Japanese resources mention phonetic components in passing, only offering one or two examples. It is very hard to find a definitive list of the phonetic components, as opposed to radicals which can be found in most kanji dictionaries and in multiple online resources. The Kanji Code provides that list, introducing 150 phonetic components to help you learn the ON readings of 450+ common kanji characters. The book can be used as a textbook and studied from start to finish, but it is particularly helpful as a handy reference guide, used in tandem with standard kanji textbooks.
What the reviewers said
“Unique… content rich and engaging. If you’ve been trying to learn kanji meanings using a similar book method and need a resource to help you with the next step, this is a great book to pick up.” Tofugu, Best New Japanese Language Resources: March 2019
“Refreshingly different. Well worth reading, and the sort of book I wish I’d had 35 years ago.” — Dr Jim Breen, Founder WWWJDIC and Adjunct Snr Research Fellow, Japanese Studies Centre, Monash University Read review
“An invaluable resource that explains very well the relationship between kanji and kana, kanji and phonetic code, and kanji and visual code. I will be recommending it to my students.” — Dr Etsuko Toyoda, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne Read review
“5 stars. An absolutely brilliant textbook! If you’re serious about learning Japanese or if you’re planning to live in Japan you need to read this book and integrate its principles into your studies.” — Renae Lucas-Hall, Amazon Japan best-selling author of Tokyo Tales. Read review
“Frankly impressive!..An excellent companion book for intermediate learners! …An awe-inducing level of academic rigor… [and] a recommended addition to the library of any Japanese language enthusiast.” — Annabelle, United States (degree in East Asian Studies, lived in Japan for 3 years) Read review
The Kanji Code provides useful background information to give you a deeper understanding of the history of kanji and the roles of the different components. It includes an easy-to-understand explanation of the keisei moji (形成文字) or form-sound kanji. In addition to the phonetic components, it introduces two innovative mnemonic methods for learning kanji ON readings.
The first method is association with hiragana and katakana, which were originally based on kanji characters. The second method involves applying art theory to group similar-looking kanji. Graphics show the visual connections. The research chapter will appeal to linguistics students and Japanese teachers, while those looking for more practical tips can skip to Chapter 1, since the bulk of the book contains practical reference materials.
It will be of most use to intermediate learners who have already mastered around 300 kanji or passed N3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. It will also appeal to visual learners and those who like to take a creative approach to learning. Compact and easy to carry, it is an essential companion handbook for serious kanji students.
- Learn 150 phonetic components – the key to the readings of 450+ kanji characters.
- Learn the link between kanji, hiragana and katakana – and use it to remember the ON readings of 50+ common kanji characters.
- Learn how visual features like shape and pattern can give a clue to the ON reading of 170+ kanji characters.
- Each kanji features ON and kun readings, English meanings and example words.
- Kanji readings are written in romaji so they can be read by students of all levels.
Also includes several detailed indexes for ease of searching and improved understanding of kanji composition. The innovative radical index includes the English names of radicals and is sorted not by stroke order but by subject, making it more intuitive to non-native Japanese speakers than traditional stroke count-based indexes.
Retailers
The book is available in two formats:
Physical/Paperback
The paperback is available through a number of online booksellers including:
- Australia: Abbey’s Bookshop | Language International Bookshop | Booktopia
- Book Depository
- Barnes and Noble
- Kinokuniya
- Blackwell’s
- Japan: Amazon Japan
If you prefer to shop locally, you can order the book from your bookseller by quoting:
ISBN 978 0 6484886 0 6.
eBook
The Kanji Code is available for download as a Kindle ebook. You don’t need a Kindle, Amazon provides a free app so you can read the ebook in your browser.
Media Enquiries
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The Kanji Code 