Japanese Kanji Power: (JLPT Levels N5 & N4) A Workbook for Mastering Japanese Characters

This is just a really good reference book to have if you are studying Japanese kanji. It's set up with both word and sentence examples/on and kun readings/easy to find what you are looking for. It can be used for study, although I recommend it more as an adjunct book for reference and for boning up on a particular kanji as they come up, more than just working it through it.

Really like this book, especially because of the various examples it provides for each PRACTICAL reading of the kanji, as opposed to readings that are seldom used.For some reason I'm not as impressed by the exercise sections, although they are BY NO MEANS bad. But I'd rather have them in a separate book.One thing to note though is that the book is really intended to help you learn the kanjis, and as such the description of their history and origin is succint, and sometimes a mnemonics is given instead. If what you really want is a book about the history of each kanji, a better choice would be: "A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters " by Kenneth G. Henshall.

Kanji are Chinese characters that have been integrated into the Japanese language. This book gives the character, how to write it (stroke order), gives the Japanese definition, and examples of sentences in which they are used. This book is highly recommended for learning kanji. I'd also suggest READ JAPANESE TODAY by Len Walsh, LEARN CHINESE THE EASY WAY by Sam Song, and A GUIDE TO REMEMBERING JAPANESE CHARACTERS by Kenneth G. Henshall.

I guess since the book is meant for all levels, it's a good, general way to learn Kanji. I like how it goes into detail about why the symbols are shaped the way they are/how it pertains to the meaning. I don't like the use of romaji, but I guess it's useful for a level 1/someone who hasn't learned Japanese in a classroom setting. The stroke order pictures and cues are great!

Good book.

This product is as described. Easy to use and understand. I would recommend for someone who already know hiragana and katakana.

"Japanese Kanji Power" will not be the key to mastering Japanese characters (like the book claims on the front).It is, however, an immensely useful tool to start your Japanese studies. The book contains all of the Kanji on the JLPT Level 4 and 5 tests (albeit in a random way). Each page has two Kanji on it as well as their respective Chinese readings (On'Yomi) and Japanese readings (Kun'yomi). To the right are a few compounds which use the Kanji and five very useful example sentences that you can reference when you're confused.Pros:-The Kanji included in the book are relevant and have good example compounds.-There are exercises after each lesson that test your comprehension through a variety of ways.-With each Kanji having five example sentences, there are over 2000 sentences to reference.-On'Yomi and Kun'Yomi readings are taught.-The indexes at the end of the book are very well organized.Warnings:-Do not use this book to learn how to WRITE the Kanji. It jumps randomly and rarely gives you any helpful tips on how to remember their form. I recommend James Heisig's "Remembering the Kanji I" to learn the writing and meanings of the Kanji. After doing the first part (around 500), this book will become immensely more helpful.-Do not use this book if you don't know hiragana or katakana. The exercises make you write with the kana and it is never taught.-The book never addresses the very confusing issue on when to use the Japanese reading and when to use the Chinese reading. Here's my tip: if the Kanji is part of a compound, use the Chinese reading. If it's part of a verb or you see hiragana in the compound, use the Japanese reading. You'll be right 75% of the time.-No book will make you fluent in Japanese. You will need to put hundreds of hours into reviewing everything you know. I suggest making flashcards and doing them daily."Japanese Kanji Power" is made for the eager 'Heisig' learner. Once you have dabbled in RTK1 and learn how to write the kana, this book is a great way to learn the readings. It is just the beginning, however. If you want to truly "master" Japanese characters, you will need to practice them daily with flashcards, manga, newspapers, etc.If you fit within the rigid category of a Heisig learner who wants to begin the readings before finishing the writings, this book is perfect.

Absolutely the best book for the most common Kanji.I've been studying Japanese for a few years and the kanji are always the most tedious part of learning. Flash cards and learners dictionaries always fall short in some way: Sometimes the stroke orders or drawings are vague, sometimes the examples are terrible or nonexistent, and they almost never show the words or characters used in context.For every single Kanji in this book, the strokes are shown sequentially for simplicity, several words containing the character are given as example, and several common phrases and sentences are given showing the appropriate context for using each kanji. Furthermore, to help remember each kanji, a brief explanation of the symbology is provided.To top of an already fantastic learning tool, the book is also a workbook, every kanji has 11 empty squares to practice and the end of every section concludes with a small exercise using previously learned Kanji.I just wish there were more editions; 464 Kanji is not enough and this book is so much better than anything I've been able to find at my local Japanese bookstore. I need more books like this.

Very detailed and gives good example sentences for each character,stroke order, common compounds and phrases, radical explanation, and reviews of the book material. Bigger than I thought, between A4 and A5, but this allows the characters to be displayed clearly. It is only the first 464 essential kanji therefore perfect for beginners learning this writing system and revision. Very happy with purchase.

Great

Good.

Clear and thorough! An excellent addition to my quest to learn kanji! Ganbare!