Guide to Reading and Writing Japanese

Rating:
Summary: more than 20 years old
Review: Twenty years ago this was an OK book, but life and Japanese learning texts have fortunately moved on.

Kenneth Henshall's "A Guide to remebering Japanese Characters" on the other hand is a real beaut, buy it, enjoy it, remember the characters!

Gambatte ne!

Rating:
Summary: Serves as a wonderful kanji dictionary for beginner students
Review: While I was living and working in Tokyo I was given this book as an essential. It is. No other book is as clear on "stroke order", an essential part of writing kanji. Without this, Japanese people will instantly see that you have "drawn" the character, rather than "written" it, and will laugh at you. Though not a tutorial, no Japanese language reference shelf would be complete without it. Mine is a well worn 1961 edition.