A Learning Handbook For Joyo Kanji Preview
A Learning Handbook For Joyo Kanji Preview
A Learning Handbook For Joyo Kanji Preview
• The first Kanji highlighted of the table defines the whole table allocation within
the thematic subdivision. In this case, it is a human ear seen from the side,
conveying a sense of softness and suppleness due to its shape and meaning.
• Now looking at the first Kanji derived from the table’s main one, its
etymology is briefly explained. In this case, the sense of 乃 “soft and
supple”, combined with the basic component 隹 “bird” (already learnt
from the Essential Components) returns the image of a “chubby bird”
carried in the扌 “hand”, from which the current Kanji meanings of “to
carry in the hand” and “portable” come.
• The main Kanji of the table is 犬 “dog”, graphically derived from a pictogram.
The readings are “inu” and “KEN”.
• In the etymology, the underlined words emphasize a certain nuance of
meaning that can show up when the kanji is used as component of a more
complex character.
• Combined with 口 “mouth” in 吠, it simply returns the meanings of “to howl,
to bark” (the reading is “ho.eru”).
• The roman number (or slash) underneath each Kanji identifies the School
Grade as taught in Japan.
• Groups I - II - III - IV - V - VI make up the 1.006 Kyōiku Kanji, that is half
part of the Jōyō Kanji taught during the six classes of the primary school.
All the remaining 1.130 characters are learned in lower and upper middle
schools and are marked with a slash (/). Since these are so many, two slashes
(//) mark those Kanji used very seldom.
• This subdivision is exceptionally important, as the learner is able to skip the
upper-grade Kanji, saving them up for subsequent readings of the handbook.
• With all this information in mind, two
last examples follow. • Note that the main Kanji 十 “ten” can
The first one it is from “Numbers” convey various different meanings when
chapter: used as a component, due to its
etymology and basic shape.
• Second example from “Sky and • Note that Kanji readings can
Weather” chapter: sometimes have a role in the etymology.
All these occurrences are always
highlighted.
“A learning handbook for Jōyō Kanji” is a complete reference book to learn
and memorize the 2.136 kanji for common use in Japan.
The method approaches the writing system through etymological studies and
a unique arrangement of Japanese characters, organized by thematic
categories and graphic components.
This kind of freedom gives a lot of responsibility to the learner, but the
handbook promises to never leave out any information that eventually will
come to a help to masterfully complete this fascinating puzzle of symbols.
Daniele Minnone