About

How to use this page:

1.
Here, the kanji index number is listed, with a link to an MIT website with additional information. Note that some characters will occur twice but with different index numbers. This is because different readings and requirements occur at different points; when studying, make sure that the character you are looking at also has the right index number so you don't memorize additional meanings or reading you do not need to!

2.
This is the kanji. Clicking on it will bring up a Quicktime movie of the correct stroke order. In order for it to work correctly you will need the Quicktime plugin, part of the Quicktime package available here.     COPYRIGHT

3.
These are the meaning(s) of the word. Occasionally a "mnemonic" link will be included which will have a picture of the development of the character (perhaps not always the actual development, but as an aid for you to learn it). It may also include an explanation of the development.

4.
The Japanese reading(s) of the kanji are written here. Kun-yomi is written in hiragana, while kun-yomi is written in katakana.

5.
Here, usages of the word will be written. Clicking on the text will bring up a new window that will playback an audio-file of Maruyama-sensei or Stever-sensei reading the sentence. Quicktime is again receommended, but most any program will work.

Useful links and tips

This page was created using a variety of hand HTML, Java Script, FrontPage, and DreamWeaver on a Windows XP computer using the Global Input Method to type in Japanese. The HTML is saved in UTF format.

Consequently, it is not optimised for any browser other than the newest Internet Explorer, and only on PCs. Macintoshes will have difficulty seeing anything on these pages, and we aplogize for that inconvenience. Any cluster PC has Japanese enabled and we would recommend using either a one of those or using a computer at the Center for Language Study.

Using Windows 2000 or XP will make for a smoother browsing experience because of their seamless language utilities. If you are having trouble viewing Japanese text, hopefully you can be help by this page.

Trouble with Quicktime?

The Council on East Asian Studies

Download the correct Japanese font (PCs only) for the webpages by clicking here and dragging the font into your "Fonts" directory or by right clicking on it and installing it after it downloads.

About this site

Those who were involved in creating the site include:

Content

Mari Stever
Senior Lector
Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures

Yoshiko Maruyama
Senior Lector
Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures

Site Design
Lindsay Elliott BR '04
Please email him with any questions, comments, or bugs.

Art
Ken Hiroe, RISD

Thanks

This page was created with the support and fund from the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures.

Thanks go to Gloria Hardman for her technical know-how, as well as to Bradley Gano and the staff at the Center for Language Study.