All About Katakana (Power Japanese Series) (Paperback)

by Anne Matsumoto Stewart (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Katakana should be the easiest way to approach the Japanese written language since it is used to write all kinds of loanwords that the reader is already familiar with. However, until recently katakana has been taught as if students of the language were all Japanese kindergarten or elementary school kids--ready, more-or-less willing, and having the time and motivation to learn the traditional katakana chart by rote.

With the present book, as soon as individual characters are introduced, they are immediately used to form actual, commonplace, everyday words. Thus, from the very first page of Lesson 1, the reader of this book is able not only to read and write two characters, but to read several words formed with those characters. Each succeeding lesson adds to the number of katakana that one can read and write, and as a matter of course to the student's functional vocabulary. With the dual Japanese-English and English-Japanese glossaries at the end of the book, the reader has more than a thousand words at his or her command. Quizzes are included for those who wish to test their progress and reinforce what they have learned. Thanks to All About Katakana, katakana is now a snap.

Language Notes
Text: English, Japanese

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 141 pages
• Publisher: Kodansha International (JPN); 1st edition (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 4770016964
• ISBN-13: 978-4770016966
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,217,951 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for those who memorize well, May 4, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This is a great book for those who can memorize quickly and without much trouble. It merely presents the katakana characters in an order that promotes construction of vocabulary, giving the reader a sense of accomplishment at learning new words. This is great for those who are good at other languages or memorize easily, but I would imagine that if mere repetition of writing the symbol does not drill it into your head, you would have a tough time with this one. It provides no space to write in the book, I suggest getting graph paper and writing the characters/vocab. down as you learn them, it really helped me memorize.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent companion book for those studying Japanese!, September 26, 2005

By	Aikidoka (Manhattan, KS) - See all my reviews

"All About Katakana" is an easy-to-understand book that presents the katakana alphabet and the formation of katakana words in a straightforward and helpful manner. Being a college student working towards a minor in Japanese, this book was recommended by my Japanese instructor and I use it frequently for assignments, reference, and study. An essential book for those striving to understand the Japanese language!

4.0 out of 5 stars A pocket sized guide to understanding & using katakana, May 1, 2009

By	Peter Hanami (Japan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Katakana is an important part of Japanese language that allows foreign words to be introduced. Katakana is becoming more widespread in Japanese language as more and more foreign words are being introduced. Primarily once used for foreign words from other languages, Katakana is also used to represent Japanese words, brands and names. For example: In Japan many Japanese brand names, company names, product names are often written in Katakana.

A mastery of Katakana is essential in dealing with Japanese customers as orders, emails telephone calls and documents all present chances to read and access the script. The ability to decipher, understand and act on instructions in Katakana is an important & useful skill.

For native English speakers Katakana represents a number of challenges. Firstly, you have to relearn English and convert all the words you know into a new script and secondly, you have to listen & think in a different way to be able to dissect words and place them into the correct pattern dictated by Katakana rules.

Anne Matsumoto Stewart's book is a great help for non Japanese learners. Typical Japanese lessons only present the characters and do not explain patterns, backgrounds, rules and meanings. Stewart explains pronunciation, the rules behind translating English words and practical exercises that build confidence in deciphering, reading and understanding Katakana, for example, exercises with restaurant menu items.

The book is split into eight lessons; each designed to focus on Katakana characters and is reinforced with an exercise. Writing and effectively using Katakana are acquired skills and the need to constantly practice, review and use the characters is reinforced.

The ability to listen to Japanese words and write them in Katakana script would add to the book. A CD with the exercises and words introduced would make the book more complete.

A practical pocket sized reference book for gaining an understanding, using and deciphering Katakana. A useful reference for Japanese language students, business people and travellers to Japan.


Peter Hanami, CEO, JapaneseCustomer.com, May 2nd, 2009