Essential Kanji: 2,000 Basic Japanese Characters Systematically Arranged For Learning And Reference [Paperback]

P. G. O'Neill (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1987 | ISBN-10: 0834802228 | ISBN-13: 978-0834802223

Essential Kanji is an integrated course for learning to read and write the 2,000 basic Japanese characters. It introduces the kanji that are now in everyday use, a mastery of which makes it possible to read most modern Japanese. Devised for either home or classroom use, the book has been tested and refined by years of use in university classes taught by the author.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Japanese --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

P. G. O'Neill, a native Londoner, is Professor of Japanese at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where he also obtained his Ph.D. in 1957 with a thesis on traditional Japanese drama. His publications include Japanese Names, A Guide to No, Early No Drama, An Introduction to Written Japanese (with S. Yanada), and A Programmed Introduction to Literary-Style Japanese.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: Weatherhill (November 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0834802228
• ISBN-13: 978-0834802223
• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 0.9 x 7.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,056 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Japanese
  • #10 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Japanese
  • #10 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Japanese

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

210 of 217 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Every Kanji Learner Needs, June 25, 2000

By 

M. Sonderegger - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Kanji: 2,000 Basic Japanese Characters Systematically Arranged For Learning And Reference (Paperback)

A few months ago, I spoke with an Ivy League student who had gone to Japan a year before knowing no Japanese and came out fluent in spoken and written Japanese. When I asked how he learned all the Kanji in such an apparently efficient and effective manner, he pulled out this book and lauded it to the skies. You want this book. I am currently learning Japanese, so I know how all you Kanji learners feel. Whether you like learning Kanji or not (personally, I do), this book is probably perfect for your needs. This is true quite simply because this book has everything. It lists 2000 Kanji that it deems "essential," which are roughly the same Kanji as the Joyo Kanji that the Japanese Ministry of Education has deemed "essential" for reading Japanese (although this book was roughly based on the earlier Toyo Kanji set, from which the Joyo Kanji set was developed). Each Kanji is written in beautiful calligraphy and in what appears to be ballpoint pen, which shows one the beauty of each character while showing how the non-calligraphers of us should draw each Kanji. Stroke order is included, which is a MUST for learning Kanji. The On and Kun (compound/solitary or Chinese/native pronounciations, roughly) pronounciations are included (with all relvant pronounciations), words using the Kanji in question are listed, the English meanings of the Kanji for each reading are given, and the modern Chinese pronounciation and a mneumonic aid for many Kanji are also given. Superb. As if that was not enough, each Kanji only uses radicals and word examples covered in earlier Kanji, and each Kanji's secion could be conveniently cut out to make a great set of flash cards. Indecies of Kanji by reading, stroke number, and English meaning (for radicals, at least) are given, and they are GREAT. The introduction is also informative and interesting. The only book I've seen that can compare to this book is Halpern's Kanji Learner Dictionary, but both books have their advantages and disadvantages- while Halpern's book is more comprehensive, the order in which Kanji are presented seems to make it more of a reference work than a learner's book. This book cannot hurt you and is most definitely worth the money. I cannot vouch for its long-term effectiveness (yet), but it's working just fine now and I think I'll be able to in the future.

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for learning Kanji, February 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Essential Kanji: 2,000 Basic Japanese Characters Systematically Arranged For Learning And Reference (Paperback)

Wether for the casual learner or the dedicated student, this reference is excellent. It is an absolute must for anyone who needs a listing of Kanji. This book reads much like a dictionary, but is designed to teach as well as provide a valuable reference. I found the book to be very informative. The course described in the book is very practical and also leaves the reader to learn at their own pase. The calligraphy and writing in the book is of very high quality and with the stroke order marked on each and every character allows for easier learning of each of the 2000 Kanji presented.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a casual glance into Japanese or looking to travel to Japan someday and needs a firm grasp of the written language.

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource, August 17, 2001

By 

Kelli - See all my reviews

This review is from: Essential Kanji: 2,000 Basic Japanese Characters Systematically Arranged For Learning And Reference (Paperback)

In a somewhat crowded market of Kanji resources, this book serves as an excellent learning tool and resource for 2,000 very useful Kanji. The book is organized according to level of difficulty, and introduces Kanji only based on elements that relate to a prior Kanji learned. A helpful index of readings (ON and kun) helps one identify quickly sound-loans and related Kanji with much ease. Critics of the book harp on the use of roomaji for the readings, but this is a minor quibble for what is otherwise a very worthy and useful tool for the student of Japanese.