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Understanding Kanji Characters by Their Ancestral Forms: Learning Kanji Through Pictures
Ping-gam Go creates a complete lesson plan to learn Kanji characters by understanding the hidden art, myth, and culture within the characters of the written Japanese language. Lessons cover over 313 Japanese kanji characters, which is about one third of the required number of characters that an elementary school student in Japan should know. Lessons are divided into easy, not-so-easy, and difficult sections. This compact book is suitable for young students learning Japanese in school programs as well as seasoned tourists and business travelers.
167 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2000
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February 17, 2023
I happened across a copy of this book, so I figured it was short enough to read through quickly. It has a similar concept to another, more recent book, The Kanji Code, which I’ve also read. (I haven’t marked it finished bc I have been meaning to read it through again.)
The premise is to divide the book into three parts, each with about 100 kanji each, on the basis of “how easy” they are to learn. Which ofc is subjective. But the book is based around looking at the ancestral forms of the characters as a way to help you learn them and their radicals.
Additionally, kanji are grouped by “subject” like “vegetation” or “verbs” as a way to help you learn, I guess?
The problem is, despite outward appearances, the book is pretty disorganized. It’s also a bit weird how many kanji are thrown into the last “you just just memorize these” section that are actually really easy to learn visually?
Additionally, no readings are given initially, so you learn the meanings but no pronunciations. Which is fine. I mean, I personally think learning meaning is the most important part, but even so, it felt a bit…. Off that these aren’t even given until the last part of the book, and only in romanji. You’d think if you’re learning kanji you’d have a good grasp on kana.
The radical section at the end is probably one of the best parts of the book, and it attempts to be organized as well but fails. It feels more like someone’s notes than a book, and it’s a shame that this section wasn’t better arranged.
Lastly, the way the characters (especially the ancestral forms) are written isn’t ideal, either. But mostly, I find fault with a lot of the author’s explanations. It feels like they’re trying to force a meaning sometimes, because it seems like they’re identifying one radical as something else half the time.
I honestly have doubts as to how “correct” some of the analysis is.
It’s a good grouping of characters and a good concept but it really needed an editor’s touch. If you want this type of thing, go for the Kanji Code instead, or try the Kanji Garden app.
The premise is to divide the book into three parts, each with about 100 kanji each, on the basis of “how easy” they are to learn. Which ofc is subjective. But the book is based around looking at the ancestral forms of the characters as a way to help you learn them and their radicals.
Additionally, kanji are grouped by “subject” like “vegetation” or “verbs” as a way to help you learn, I guess?
The problem is, despite outward appearances, the book is pretty disorganized. It’s also a bit weird how many kanji are thrown into the last “you just just memorize these” section that are actually really easy to learn visually?
Additionally, no readings are given initially, so you learn the meanings but no pronunciations. Which is fine. I mean, I personally think learning meaning is the most important part, but even so, it felt a bit…. Off that these aren’t even given until the last part of the book, and only in romanji. You’d think if you’re learning kanji you’d have a good grasp on kana.
The radical section at the end is probably one of the best parts of the book, and it attempts to be organized as well but fails. It feels more like someone’s notes than a book, and it’s a shame that this section wasn’t better arranged.
Lastly, the way the characters (especially the ancestral forms) are written isn’t ideal, either. But mostly, I find fault with a lot of the author’s explanations. It feels like they’re trying to force a meaning sometimes, because it seems like they’re identifying one radical as something else half the time.
I honestly have doubts as to how “correct” some of the analysis is.
It’s a good grouping of characters and a good concept but it really needed an editor’s touch. If you want this type of thing, go for the Kanji Code instead, or try the Kanji Garden app.
Displaying 1 of 1 review