Japanese Kanji Made Easy - Learn 1000 Kanji and Kana The Fun and Easy Way

Oct 1, 2026

Japanese Kanji Made Easy introduces learners to kanji through mnemonic stories and simple illustration-based clues. The book explains how Chinese characters entered Japan and how Japanese writing evolved by adapting those characters for Japanese use, including historical context from early codification to the spread of Buddhism. It frames kanji learning as meaningful pattern recognition, using captured classroom drawings and brief descriptions to support memory and understanding. Contents cover kanji themes by chapter, plus an overview of the kana system and bonus download instructions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1041

Reading Time43 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Kanji Explained

The Kana: Hiragana and Katakana

CHAPTER 1 - NUMBERS and COLOURS

CHAPTER 2 - PERSON

CHAPTER 3 - THE BODY

CHAPTER 4 - ACTIONS

CHAPTER 5 - PLANTS

CHAPTER 6 - ANIMALS

CHAPTER 7 - THE WORLD

CHAPTER 8 - MEDIEVAL JAPAN

CHAPTER 9 - TOOLS

CHAPTER 10 - VEHICLES and BUILDINGS

CHAPTER 11 - GARMENTS

Index

How to Download the Bonus Material of this Book

JAPANESE KANJI MADE EASY JAPANESE KANJI MADE EASY LEARN 1000 KANJI AND KANA THE FUN AND EASY WAY Michael L. Kluemper TUTTLE Publishing Tokyo | Rutland, Vermont | Singapore Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. [www.tuttlepublishing.com](www.tuttlepublishing.com) Copyright © 2015 Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher. Library of Congress CIP data in progress ISBN 978-4-8053-1277-3 ISBN 978-1-4629-1494-4 (ebook) Distributed by North America, Latin America & Europe Tuttle Publishing 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon VT 05759-9436 U. S.A. Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930; Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993 [info@tuttlepublishing.com](info@tuttlepublishing.com)[ ](info@tuttlepublishing.com)[www.tuttlepublishing.com](www.tuttlepublishing.com) Japan Tuttle Publishing Yaekari Building, 3rd Floor, 5-4-12 Osaki Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141 0032 Tel: (81) 3 5437-0171; Fax: (81) 3 5437-0755 [sales@tuttle.co.jp](sales@tuttle.co.jp)[ ](sales@tuttle.co.jp)[www.tuttle.co.jp](www.tuttle.co.jp) Asia Pacific Berkeley Books Pte. Ltd. 61 Tai Seng Avenue \#02-12, Singapore 534167 Tel: (65) 6280-1330; Fax: (65) 6280-6290 [inquiries@periplus.com.sg](inquiries@periplus.com.sg)[ ](inquiries@periplus.com.sg)[www.periplus.com](www.periplus.com) 18 17 16 15 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1509CM Printed in China TUTTLE PUBLISHING® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. The Tuttle Story: “Books to Span the East and West” Many people are surprised to learn that the world’s leading publisher of books on Asia had humble beginnings in the tiny American state of Vermont. The company’s founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New England family steeped in publishing. Immediately after WWII, Tuttle served in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur and was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing industry. He later founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, which thrives today as one of the world’s leading independent publishers. Though a westerner, Tuttle was hugely instrumental in bringing a knowledge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East. By the time of his death in 1993, Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on Asian culture, history and art—a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor with the “Order of the Sacred Treasure,”the highest tribute Japan can bestow upon a non-Japanese. With a backlist of 1, 500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today than at anytime in its past—inspired by Charles Tuttle’s core mission to publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater understanding of each. CONTENTS Kanji Explained The Kana: Hiragana and Katakana A Guide to the Illustrations CHAPTER 1 NUMBERS and COLOURS Numbers Colors CHAPTER 2 PERSON Person Good Family Woman and Child Man on the Move CHAPTER 3 THE BODY Self Body Mouth Eye and Ear Heart and Blood Hand and Foot CHAPTER 4 ACTIONS Stride Stand and Stop Sliding Power Say Directions CHAPTER 5 PLANTS Rice and Tree Fancy Tree Bamboo Grass Rain Seasons CHAPTER 6 ANIMALS Cow and Pig Horse and Sheep Dog, Bear, and Fur Bird and Fish Shellfish Bugs and Meat CHAPTER 7 THE WORLD Sun Time Moon Fire Metal Water Soil, Earth Mountain Dotted Cliff Stone CHAPTER 8 MEDIEVAL JAPAN King and Samurai Arrow Spirits CHAPTER 9 TOOLS Sword and Blade Brush, Ax, Divining Rod Bow Arrow and Halberd Field and Well CHAPTER 10 VEHICLES and BUILDINGS Vehicles Furniture Gate Roof Enclosures CHAPTER 11 GARMENTS Garments and String Towel Shape and Size Index How to Download the Bonus Material of this Book. 1. You mus

FAQs

How does the book help readers memorize kanji?

It uses mnemonics made from brief descriptions and drawings, including quick stories designed to capture how to remember kanji. The material is based on classroom attempts recorded in the book.

What historical background does the book provide for kanji?

It outlines how Chinese characters were codified into an orderly writing system, how they arrived in Japan through missions and trade, and how Japanese learners modified and adapted the characters, especially as Buddhism spread.

What are the requirements to download the book’s bonus material?

The download instructions require an internet connection, followed by clicking a provided link or copying the URL into a web browser.

Oct 1, 2026

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