A Learning Handbook For Joyo Kanji Preview

• Presentation of the ideographic system.
• In-depth explanation of the study

method used in the handbook.
• Essential basic components chapter.
• The 2.136 Jōyō Kanji are arranged into

5 thematic sections, each one subdivided
into macro-chapters and finally in
smaller chapters, easy to consult.
• Hiragana and Katakana syllabaries.
• 3 different indexes for Kanji look-up.
• Essential components are also arranged
into thematic categories.
• Each component is explained in details,

including the main meanings and the
implicit ones that can be conveyed to
other kanji containing them.
• Here comes an example from chapter
“Ear” (macro-chapter “Head”, section
“Human Body”)
• 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.
• Therefore, current Kanji meanings are words in bold only, to be found

inserted directly within the etymological explanation.
• On top, there are common Keywords in which the kanji can be found.
• Kun and On Readings are written above the Kanji. In this case, there are
only two different readings for 携: “tazusa.eru/waru” and “KEI”.
• Note that Japanese syllabaries can be found in the appendix.
• Going on, the idea of 乃 “soft and supple” is now combined with the
basic component 禾 “ear of grain”, pointing out an ear of grain’s head
larger than normal. The current abstract meaning derived from that idea is
“to excel”.
• In the subsequent Kanji, the whole 秀 “to excel” is used combined with
the basic Kanji 言 “to say” (here suggesting “words”), leading to the
current meanings written in bold.
• Now looking at an easier example:
• 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.
A wide, yet perfectly balanced and interconnected quantity of notions are

embedded in the innovative graphic and etymological subdivision, capable of
enriching the overall vision and leading the learner through a real
understanding of the subject.
Nevertheless, Japanese writing system is a complex subject.

The handbook schematic approach could be hard for beginners at first,
giving them so much freedom, but in the author’s experience it is the only
method that really pays off in the long run. This is because Kanji soon tend
to become so much numerous and intricate for the brain, that only this kind
of freedom and ordered complexity can truly reflect their nature and unfold
them to the core, without never missing out the big picture.
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.
It is understood that the handbook’s versatility can also be perfectly exploited

to meet specific needs of the moment, without an overall reading.
This is especially useful for people with a certain knowledge of the language
already, who want to consult and learn individual kanji in-depth time after
time or to remove doubts about previously learned Kanji.
Anyone who undertakes the study of Japanese out of

passion or necessity will have to face the charm and
enormous complexities of ideographic writing.
I wish them the best of luck and success, hoping
that my work will be of help and incentive.
Daniele Minnone
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• Presentation of the ideographic system.

• In-depth explanation of the study

• The 2.136 Jōyō Kanji are arranged into

• Each component is explained in details,

• Therefore, current Kanji meanings are words in bold only, to be found

• Now looking at an easier example:

A wide, yet perfectly balanced and interconnected quantity of notions are

Nevertheless, Japanese writing system is a complex subject.

It is understood that the handbook’s versatility can also be perfectly exploited

Anyone who undertakes the study of Japanese out of

Amazon US - Amazon UK - Amazon DE - Amazon FR

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