Hi all :-)

Just to clearify things, I've read the stickied thread, but there are still some things that bothers me.

I'm closing in to two years of studying japanese, but haven't really focused on this method until now. I understand that this method is simply used to learn how to write kanji and to become used to them.

After two years at the university, I have to say that I'm already quite used to them - not being able to write _that_ many - but I feel confident about being able to read somewhere near 1000 kanjis. My goal is of course to be able to write most of the kanjis I can read, but up until now I haven't cared much for it.

What bothers me about RTK is the fact that it only teaches the writing and a "close but not completely accurate" meaning until volume 2. How much would this affect my learning curve in the future? I mean, to be able to write a kanji-word and to know the meaning and reading of it, I would have to remember it somewhat separately, no? For example 約束; I would have to remember the reading, 「やくそく」, as well as the meaning, 「promise」, in addition to the keywords/stories connected to those kanjis from RTK in order to be able to write it (which in this case happen to be the real meaning, heh) - or is this completely off?:-)

I hope you can understand my concern regardless of the very bad example with 約束. In simpler terms, I guess you could say that I just want to avoid having to keep real meaning, rtk keyword and such a part. Mixing up the meaning with the keyword - if they are not the same - seems to be quite an annoying risk to take.

Anyway, treat me well and not like some random forum troll ;-)

// Muramasa

The keywords are just a tool to aid recall. When I started learning readings / compounds I realized why Heiseg recommends only study keyword -> kanji: when you see familiar kanji you'll consider their readings and not the keywords

I'm not done with RTK1 yet but when I see a kanji I often can't recall the keyword but I do write it correctly most of the time. I think the keywords will fade very quickly... (which is a good thing)

Welcome Muramasa. 1000 kanji after 2 yrs university study is good. (It sounds like there's more focus on kanji in Sweden).

I believe writing is a good idea too - even if you don't need to write for practical purposes, it strengthens memory.

Most of the English keywords fine, imo. You might consider substituting some of the English keywords with Japanese words if you already know the Japanese word or if you want to avoid ambiguous or strange English keywords. If you search this forum for Greasemonkey scripts (used with Firefox), there's one called Substitute Keywords which will allow you to do that. Or you could use Anki for the same purpose. Consider adding some kind of distinguishing hint for homonyms.

If your Japanese is good enough, you might want to try using Japanese keywords from the start. Pls see the "Japanese keyword" thread (and the link to Wrightak's explanation). There's a nearly complete Anki deck (with links back the stories here) that you can download and customize to your liking.

good luck!

I knew about 500 kanji before starting RTK and was a little irritated with the keywords at first as well. The more you get into it the more you understand how minor of a problem that really is. 2-3 months of investment into learning to recognize and write the 2,000-3,000 most important kanji and you have a huge advantage over those who have not done RTK.

When you get across the river, you stop carrying the boat.

(The keywords are the boat in this metaphor.)

~J

One year and a half after finishing RTK, I can read and write a load of kanji no problem. It takes me some effort to remember the stories, though. Just to say that stories/keywords don't conflict with the rest.

You won't keep them apart, it will fuse in your brain. For example, I hadn't seen 得 before RtK. So I learned the parts and made a story and learned the meaning obtain. Then I kept up my RtK studies for a while and started reading. Suddenly 得 popped up everywhere but I didn't think twice about it. I knew how to write it and I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that it means something like "gain" or "obtain" etc. Now, some time later, I just think of the words using it when I see it. 得意, 納得, 説得 etc. That's what will happen to you to, with all the kanji.