Japanese has 3 writing systems, all used together: hiragana, katakana and kanji. Japanese Hiragana & Katakana for Beginners

A complete introduction to written Japanese — start here with zero knowledge and finish feeling confident!

This introduction to the Japanese writing system teaches you to read and write the fundamental 92 hiragana and katakana characters—and makes learning fun and easy with a memorable picture-based method!

The method that's helped thousands learn Japanese successfully:

Memorable pictures help you to learn the characters by associating their shapes and sounds with combinations of images and English words already familiar to you
Clear examples and engaging exercises offer opportunities to read, write, use and practice all 92 primary hiragana katakana characters, plus the remaining kana that stand for more complex sounds
Polish your knowledge with word searches, crossword puzzles, fill-in-the-blanks, timed recognition quizzes, and other engaging activities
The online media includes printable flashcards to help you review and practice, even while you are on the go

About the Author

Timothy G. Stout lived in Japan for 20 years and has taught Japanese language for 23 years in public and private schools, and at the university level.

While teaching at the American School in Japan, he conducted research on the use of keyword mnemonics in the instruction of Japanese. Stout has a Doctorate in Education (EdD) from Utah State University, an M.A. in Japanese Pedagogy from Columbia University and a B.A. in Japanese Teaching from Brigham Young.

He currently teaches Japanese at Utah Valley University and resides in Lehi, Utah with his wife and five children. Stout is the author of Japanese Hiragana and Katakana for Beginners and Let's Learn Japanese, both available from Tuttle.