Kanji can feel intimidating, but the right tools make all the difference. Here's a guide to the best Kanji learning materials tailored for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. These resources turn learning Kanji into a fun and engaging experience for children and adults alike.
If you learn Kanji step by step with proper methods, you can understand the meanings and memorize Kanji just like our students!
Beginner Level
- Youchien Kanji Karuta
- Content: A set of 50 Kanji cards chosen for their fascinating origins and easy understanding for young learners.
- How to Use: Spread the Kanji cards face up, then read aloud the reading cards. The child picks the Kanji card that matches the reading.
- Z-kai Grade-Up Cards and Picture Book: Kanji Search
- Content: A playful, educational set that introduces Kanji through cards and a picture book. Includes six fun card games for interactive learning. Comes with explanations for parents.
- How to Use: Children can search for Kanji in the picture book or use the cards to play matching games, fostering familiarity with Kanji in a fun and interactive way.
Intermediate Level
- Gentosha Card 240: Remembering Kanji for Grades 1 and 2
- Content: Each card's front features example sentences using the On-yomi and Kun-yomi readings of a Kanji. The back showcases the Kanji with stroke order, readings, usage, radicals, and stroke count.
- How to Use: Enjoy karuta-style games or trace the Kanji strokes with your fingers to reinforce memorization.
- 101 Kanji Karuta
- Content: A karuta set designed to teach the origins of basic Kanji characters through pictures and games.
- How to Use: Play karuta with your child to learn Kanji origins and meanings while having fun.
Advanced Level
- Gentosha Game: Kanji Hakase – Hen and Tsukuri Combination
- Content: A card game where players combine radicals (hen and tsukuri) to form Kanji characters.
- How to Use:
- Shuffle the cards and form a deck.
- Players take turns drawing a card and placing it in the field.
- Combine cards to create Kanji. The player with the most Kanji wins.
- Variations like "speed" can also be played.
- New Edition: 98 Radical Karuta
- Content: Learn the 98 most common radicals, their origins, and 500 associated Kanji.
- How to Use: Spread the radical cards randomly, read the corresponding reading cards, and collect the matching Kanji cards.
Summary
No matter the learner's level, these Kanji materials provide structured and enjoyable ways to master this essential part of Japanese writing.
- Beginners: Start with interactive games and picture books.
- Intermediate learners: Focus on practical applications with example sentences and stroke order practice.
- Advanced learners: Challenge yourself with card games that involve radicals and Kanji construction.
Kanji learning doesn't have to be tedious—these tools make it a playful journey that builds confidence and knowledge step by step. Happy learning!