Let's Learn Kanji: An Introduction to Radicals, Components and 250 Very Basic Kanji

by Yasuko Kosaka Mitamura, Joyce Mitamura

Everyone agrees that it is possible to learn to speak Japanese in a reasonable amount of time, but no one has ever said that about reading and writing it. It is widely held that spoken and written Japanese require separate efforts by the student, as if these two aspects were in fact distinct
languages.

A first step toward alleviating this situation was taken by Yasuko Mitamura in 1985 with the publication of Let's Learn Hiragana and Let's Learn Katakana , which continue to help thousands of students every year to master these two forms of Japanese script. Now, Let's Learn Kanji goes to the heart of
the the learning of kanji (i.e., Chinese characters as they are used in Japan).
Not simply a brilliant exposition but also a workbook, it teaches the student how to write the basic strokes, how to put these together into full-fledged kanji, and how kanji function in the context of example sentences. Progress is continually checked, and the student is encouraged through quizzes
and exercises. The 250 fundamental characters learned almost painlessly.

Genres: Language, Japanese Literature, Nonfiction, Education, Cultural

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Karmologyclinic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would not recommend this as a first kanji book for anyone. And guess what, it was my first kanji book. I doubt anyone can memorize kanji without an SRS method or mnemonics (I certainly can't) and this book was a big disappointment in my progress back then, because it solidified that I had a hole for a brain. Years of better Kanji resources later and in upper beginner level, I revisited this book and it is actually very helpful in:
a. reviewing what you already know and put radicals and kanji in a more organized way in your mind (like a good grammar book will do to arrange your scattered grammar knowledge)
b. pick up good writing practices and practice writing kanji (which I always neglect)
c. nice kanji recognition and reading exercises

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

As others have said, not so much a beginner's book, but good for intermediate students. Let's Learn Kanji is more "Let's learn kanji radicals" and on that it is an excellent introduction. This isn't a learn kanji fast book, but rather one that drills you on the components of kanji. Recommended!

[Mikuwashi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so disappointed by this book. I haven't even used it ONCE for studying. It just immediately put me off. I didn't and I still don't the layout of it and the way of introducing new signs. If you had ever tried Basic Kanji Book series, don't take up Let's Learn Kanji, it's not worth it.
Gotta give it 2 stars for nice paper, through, glossy one, very Japanese.

[Michael]

This is an excellent book. I never did finish it, but I really mean to! I suck at remembering Kanji.

[Jenna]

It's going to take me a while to read this because I want to memorize all the kanji that's in it.

[So Hakim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very excellent book to learn Kanji. With useful tips and tricks of memorization, this is a must have for those interested in Japanese Language.