Got an email from Uhpress about RTK2+3 Binding methods after being in contact with them about the horrible binding in RTK1.

"We were able to catch Remembering the Kanji 2 before it made it to the printer and the binding is being stitched instead of glued. RTK 3 was already in the bindery by the time we discovered that these books were getting such heavy use so the first binding of this volume was glued. All future printings of Volume 1-3 will be stitched.

It is feedback like yours that allowed us to make these changes to better meet the market needs of customers like you. Thanks for your feedback."

So good news folks, the new edition of RTK2 will be stitch binded instead of the notorious glue binding used on RTK 5th Edition which falls apart, I can't see RTK2+3 being used as much as RTK1 but it's a welcome improvement, as soon as the stitched binding copies of RTK1 start appearing I'll be buying a copy to replace the glue binded copies I have.

Nice to see uhpress caring about their customers and actually listening to feedback

EDIT: by the way I'm interested in which editions everyone has, I have RTK 5th Edition.

Good news!

I've got RTK1 3rd Edition.

5th edition, and I've mangled it pretty well. Then again, I barely touch the book any more. I made 2046 paper flash cards (per Heisig's method in chapter 5), and I have them in little stacks, chapter by chapter. So when I want to review, I grab a stack and carry them with me.

meolox, you should ask UHP if you send back your copy will they replace it with a stitched copy. Seems like you shouldn't have to pay for another of the same. I work in publishing so know this isn't out of the realm of possibilty... =)

Using the 4th edition of RTK Vol 1 which has held together through thick and thin! I'll grab Vol 3 once the binding is fixed.

Unfortunately (I seem to hear) I have the 5th edition.. while I haven't really started using it much since I don't have the time I hope it doesn't fall apart too much ...

I have a 4th edition of RTK1 and it has held up beautifully over the years through several intra/international trips, being thrown roughly into backpacks etc - as well as normal day to day use.

I wish that I had the new stitched one. Maybe I will see if they'll replace it, but by that time I'll probably be done with it and won't need to use it anymore.

I recently purchased a fresh copy of Rtk Volume 1 and, TO MY HORROR, I found out that it was the Fifth Edition. (Could anything be much worse than that?) After reading the suggestions and horror stories of the forum, I sent an email to the University of Hawaii Press requesting that they kindly offer me a stitched edition when it is released. Here is the reply:

Quote:The stitched binding edition of the book has not been released yet.
We are working hard to get it out by March. We will not be able to
provide a replacement copy that has the stitched binding until it is
finally released. If your copy begins to fall apart within a few
months please contact us again. I am sorry for any inconveniences.

I'm fairly impressed with their willingness to rectify their shoddy job!

Just another update, got my copy of RTK2 today from UH Press, it seems much better binded with groups of pages bound together then glued instead of each page individually glued, only time will tell if the pages hold.

Only 2 weeks left of RTK1 then I will put my copy of RTK2 through some serious durability testing