I love the RMK book, but there is a problem I am having trouble with it. How do you remember the order of the primitives in a kanji? I can remember the components pretty easily using the storries, but I'm constantly forgetting in what order the primitives go in.

What method do you use to remember the order of the primitives?

Thanks!

for me: either integrate the order of primitives to the story (as in, the primitives are written in the order in which they appear in the story), or just go by the general stroke order rules. Should be pretty easy to see the patterns in the stroke order after few hundred kanji.

At which frame are you?
It depends.

Thanks for your help. I am at frame 145.

yeah I wouldn't worry too much at this point, once you get far enough you see the basic patterns (which will give then you no trouble) and can work something out for the exceptions. It's not a crime to edit your stories afterwards

kaamaru Wrote:Thanks for your help. I am at frame 145.

Heisig will explain how the position of a primitive gives it a stronger effect on the meaning of the Kanji, this helps. Also, many primitives (or Kanji as primitive) have their specific locations, like "head", "oven fire", top hat", "saber"..., if not, then sometimes other primitives give its location because it does 'feel' appropriate which you'll develop more later on.
Finally if the primitive location is awkward, then add a hint in your story that shows its location, like in "employee" story I imagined how the clam is actually hanging while holding on the employees mouth and so the mouth is up and the clam is down.

So don't worry! Things will sort out soon

Edit: Of course the stroke and primitive order is left to right and up to down, this is also explained in the book.