"This is the best kanji book available today. Designed for beginners with a basic knowledge of Japanese to use in the classroom on for self-study."—Modern Language Journal

Everyday tasks like finding a street address or buying a train ticket can be an ordeal in Japan if you don't read kanji-the system of Japanese writing based on Chinese characters. A group of teachers from the prestigious University of Tokyo have pooled their talents to create 250 Essential Japanese Kanji Characters in two volumes: a practical way to learn the kanji most frequently used in daily life in Japan. Each lesson helps you master a new group of kanji, using an extremely effective approach that focuses on you, the learner, taking an active part.

• Introductory Quizzes introduce everyday situations where you encounter kanji.
• Vocabulary sections help you understand the readings and meanings of the kanji.
• New Character Charts teach you new kanji systematically—for each character you'll learn its meanings, its basic on-kun readings, its stroke order, common compounds, and derivations.
• Practice sections help you improve your skills in recognizing and using the kanji.
• Advanced Placement Exam Practice Questions for each lesson follow the format of the College Boards Japanese Language and Culture examination.