Remembering the Kanji II: A Systematic Guide to Reading Japanese Characters

Remembering the Kanji II is a textbook that builds on the kanji-learning method introduced in the first volume of Heisig's series. The book focuses on teaching students how to read and pronounce the 2,200 most commonly used Japanese characters after they have learned to write them. The text presents Japanese readings systematically by grouping kanji with similar pronunciation patterns together, rather than organizing them by frequency or complexity. Each character is accompanied by example vocabulary and compounds that demonstrate its various readings in context. This volume diverges from traditional kanji study methods by emphasizing pattern recognition and memory techniques over rote memorization. Through structured exercises and cumulative review, students build their ability to recognize and read complex kanji combinations found in everyday Japanese texts. The book represents a bridge between theoretical knowledge of kanji characters and practical Japanese literacy, offering a methodical approach to mastering one of the most challenging aspects of the Japanese language. Its systematic organization reflects Heisig's broader philosophy that efficient language learning comes through understanding patterns rather than accumulating isolated facts.

Readers report this sequel doesn't match the effectiveness of the first Remembering the Kanji book. Many note it tries to teach readings without enough context or example sentences. Liked: - Systematic approach to organizing readings - Clear layout and presentation - Builds on foundation from first book Disliked: - Method feels artificial compared to learning readings naturally through vocabulary - No practice exercises or example sentences - Many readings taught are rare/unused in modern Japanese - Too much focus on Chinese readings vs Japanese readings As one reader noted: "The first RTK gave me a framework for kanji. This one gave me disconnected readings with no way to practice them." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (187 ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (44 ratings) Most readers recommend skipping this volume and learning readings through vocabulary study instead. Several mention moving directly from RTK1 to reading native materials with a dictionary.

Basic Kanji Book, Vol. 1 by Chieko Kano, Eriko Shimizu This textbook presents kanji through systematic, component-based methods with clear stroke orders and compound vocabulary building.

Kodansha Kanji Learner's Course by Andrew Scott Conning The course connects kanji meanings to their written forms through detailed narratives and organized patterns that build upon previous knowledge.

Japanese Kanji & Kana by Wolfgang Hadamitzky, Mark Spahn This reference guide groups kanji by their visual elements and provides multiple readings with example compounds for each character.

A Guide to Reading and Writing Japanese by Florence Sakade, Janet Ikeda The book presents kanji in frequency order with comprehensive stroke counts, readings, and compound examples used in contemporary Japanese.

Essential Kanji by P.G. O'Neill The text introduces 2,000 basic kanji through logical progression and component analysis with authentic usage examples from Japanese texts.

🔖 "Remembering the Kanji II" is part of a three-volume series that has revolutionized how non-native speakers learn Japanese characters since its first publication in 1987. 🈲 While most kanji textbooks teach reading and writing simultaneously, Heisig's method uniquely separates these skills, with Volume II focusing exclusively on pronunciation after mastering the writing in Volume I. 👨‍🏫 James W. Heisig developed this system while working as a research fellow at the Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture in Nagoya, Japan, where he spent over 40 years. 📚 The book teaches the readings of 2,200 kanji characters using a mnemonic method based on linking similar pronunciations together in memory patterns, rather than rote memorization. 🌏 The methodology has been so successful that it has been adapted for learning Chinese characters (Remembering Traditional/Simplified Hanzi) and Korean Hanja, spawning a whole series of similar learning materials.