In Japan, we use three different kinds of scripts such as kanji, hiragana, and katakana in our daily lives, but For those who are studying Japanese, kanji is probably the most difficult to learn. It is said that there are 3,000 kanji characters in common use alone, and each one has its own detailed meaning, so there are some people who end up failing at studying Japanese. However, even if you don’t memorize all of them, you can make new discoveries by learning Kanji. This is the appeal of studying kanji, isn’t it? In this article, I would like to introduce you to the origins of such kanji and how to read them.
Contents

Origin of kanji

Kanji was originally introduced to Japan from China. It is said that the first Chinese characters were the oracle bone scripts invented in China in 1300 BC. As time went by, the characters were gradually improved to make them easier to use, and kanji was introduced to Japan in the 4th or 5th centuries. Later, hiragana and katakana were invented in Japan based on kanji, and today, Japanese people use three scripts regularly: kanji, hiragana, and katakana.

stroke order of kanji

,When learning kanji, the stroke order is always taught together. You can write them in any order, but why is it important to follow the stroke order? There are three main advantages to following the stroke order. 1. easy to write (no wasted strokes) 2. the characters are easier to arrange and read (the overall shape and direction of the lines are more stable) 3. easier to remember letters (there is a rule that the same shape means the same stroke order) The correct stroke order can be said to be based on common rules that make it easy to write and remember the characters, so learning it is the most efficient way to learn kanji. The main rule of stroke order is to write from top to bottom and from left to right. It is also a common rule that “the same form should be written in the same order”, so if you have already learned the radicals of the kanji, you can write them in the same order. It will be useful to learn at least the main rules.

Tips on how to memorize kanji

Learn how to read kanji first. By learning how to read them and then practicing writing them, you will be able to learn them efficiently. A good way to do this is to write the kanji while reading out loud. In addition, Knowing the meaning of the kanji itself and its origins and visualizing it will also make it easier to remember. For example, “to stand on a tree and look at it is the parent”, “to follow a string is vertical”, “to break the skin with a stone”, etc. Try to imagine the origins of the kanji. If you are more advanced in learning kanji, you can also try learning the meaning of radicals. Each radical has its own meaning, so if you know the meaning of each radical, the kanji will become a “meaningful group” rather than just a ” symbol”, making it easier to remember Once you have confirmed the meaning of a kanji radical, try putting together kanji with the same radical. For example, group them into a series of kanji for “sanzui” and a series of kanji for “nikuzuki”. Memories become stronger the more they are related and connected to other things. It is an inefficient way to study if you just write down all the different kanji on a piece of paper in no particular order. Writing and practicing kanji on paper is a last resort.

How to read kanji

There are two ways to read Japanese kanji, called “on-yomi” and “kun-yomi”. “On-yomi” is based on the way it was read in China, and “kun-yomi” is the way it is read in Japan. Here are a few ways of reading kanji that can be used in daily life.

美

This is a kanji meaning “beautiful. In on-yomi, it is read as “bi”, but in kun-yomi, it is written as “美しい” and is read “utsukushii”. It can be used to say, for example, “あなたは美しい”(You are beautiful). It may be a good addition to a message sent by a man to a woman.

風

This word represents wind, the flow of air. In on-yomi, it is “Fuu” or “Fu”. In kun-yomi, it is read “kaze”. In on-yomi, you can say “きれいな風景”(beautiful scenery), but in kun-yomi, it can be used to describe the refreshing early summer weather: “今日の風は気持ちが良い”(Today’s wind feels good), or when you are sick: “風邪をひいたかもしれない”(I think I might have caught a cold). The first two strokes of the word “風” are also favored as an art form because they can change into various images of strength, weakness, or gentleness depending on how they are written.

道

This letter refers to a road along which people come and go. In on-yomi , it is read as “do,” and in kun-yomi , it is read as “michi. When asking for directions in kun’yomi, you may ask, “この道をまっすぐ行けば着きますか？”(If I go straight down this road, will I get there?). While Aikido, one of Japan’s martial arts, uses kun-yomi “do”. The kanji for “do” has an interesting shape, doesn’t it? It’s easy to remember that the shape of “shinnyou” looks like the same as the meaning of “道”. In that way, this can be easier to remember.

響

This word means the state of a sound echo. It is read as “kyo” in on-yomi, and “hibi (+ku)” in kun-yomi. In on-yomi, it is used as”その影響を考えると何か対処が必要だ”(“we need to do something about it considering its impact), and in kun-yomi , it is used as “音が響く”(the sound echoes). It is interesting to note that the kanji “音” underneath seems to support this kanji, making it seem as if the sound is echoing.

夢

This term refers to the dreams we have when we are asleep. In on-yomi, it is read “mu”, and in kun-yomi, it is read as “yume” respectively. In on-yomi, “夢中で趣味に没頭した”(I was absorbed in my hobby.), and in kun-yomi, “昨日の夜に夢を見た”(I had a dream last night.). The process of memorizing the words “Kusakammuri” + “四” + “ワ” + “夕” in order will be fun.

旅

This word means a journey or travel to another place. In on-yomi, it is “ryo”, and in kun-yomi, it is “tabi”. In on-yomi, it is used as “また旅行に行けるようになるといいな”(I hope I can travel again), and in kun-yomi it is used as”旅に出る”(I go on a trip). There is a Japanese proverb that says, “愛しい子に旅をさせよ”(If your love your child , it is better to let him go out into the world) including the meaning of that it is better to experience the hardships and pains than to spoil him.

“Kanji Museum” where you can have fun learning kanji

There is a hands-on museum in Kyoto City (5 minutes walk from exit 6 of Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan main line) called the “Kanji Museum” that not only looks at kanji, but also creates a number of surprises and discoveries through exhibits that you can touch, learn and enjoy. It is a place where the Japanese Kanji culture is introduced through “Kanji is interesting!” to the world. There is an exhibition of the oracle bone script, which is the root of kanji, as well as the “50,000 Kanji Tower” with colorful kanji written all over the walls. The colors of the kanji written on the tower have different meanings: blue are kanji that Japanese people learn in elementary school, orange are kanji that are usually used in Japan, pink are kanji that are tested in Level 1 and pre level 1 of the Kanji Aptitude Test, and black are kanji that are rarely seen and are unknown even to Japanese people. There is also a section where you can enjoy kanji like a game. For example, “Kanji Kaiten Sushi” is a quiz where you look at the sushi toppings on the screen and answer the kanji of the topping. The “Touch Panel Karuta” is a game in which you have to complete the correct kanji by combining the cards with the characters written on them and the radicals such as “Nogihen” and “Takekanmuri” that are given as questions. There are about 20 booths to enjoy, not only for children, but also for adults who can’t help but get absorbed in the game. Why don’t you visit the Kanji Museum when you come to Kyoto for sightseeing?

Kanji are full of charm

How did you like it? In this article, I have introduced the origins of kanji and how to read them. Kanji characters are beautiful to look at, and each character has its own meaning, and once you realize how interesting they are, you will never get tired of learning them. It would be interesting to go sightseeing at the “Kanji Museum” introduced here. Even Japanese people don’t remember all the kanji, so if you find a kanji that interests you, it might be a good idea to start from there and expand your learning by using the tips on how to remember kanji.