The goal of a flashcard is so that you can work on a single memory unit. In the case of kanji, one flashcard should work with only one thing (Meaning, reading, etc.).

Thus, having one flashcard dedicated to the meaning of a flashcard (Keyword ---> kanji), another flashcard dedicated to the pronunciation of the kanji (kanji ---> ON yomi or KUN yomi) would be more efficient in the long run.

While it might not hurt to add it simply to look at, don't think too much of it; long-term, reading flashcards are necessary.

No, don't. It's not a matter of efficiency.

ONLY learn readings in context. The kun readings are sometimes really rare words, and at other times the meaning changes subtly with the kun reading. The on readings also have relative frequencies, and sometimes certain readings go together with certain topics (like unusual/rare readings with Buddhist writings etc).

Really, don't worry about the readings yet. Later you can choose to do either all of RTK2, or parts of it (probably better), or jump straight into a textbook or the Core6k sentences.

Really, don't try to learn readings in isolation.

Consider this example from Kanjidic:

行 (行)  コウ,  ギョウ,  アン,  い.く,  ゆ.く,  -ゆ.き,  -ゆき,  -い.き,  -いき,  おこな.う,  おこ.なう,  N: いく,  なみ,  なめ,  みち,  ゆき,  ゆく  going,  journey

Which reading would you take? コウ is very common, but so is ギョウ. The first tends to be used for actions, the second for 'line' or when it's a counter. What's more, 行く can be read いく or ゆく with the same ending.

This will come to you automatically if you don't worry about it now and just later learn the words in context, either as kanji compound or with its kun reading.

If the keywords are too similar for you (and that's a common problem) try changing the story a bit, or put hints (in English) next to the keyword.

If someone is learning readings then I would suggest using the joyo kanji readings as a reference rather than Kanjidic.

The joyo kanji is an official document that lists the kanji and readings to be taught in schools. Kanjidic includes the joyo readings but has many other less common ones as well.

For example, for 行:
Kanjidic: コウ、ギョウ、アン、い.く、ゆ.く、-ゆ.き、-ゆき、-い.き、-いき、おこな.う、おこ.なう いく、なみ、なめ、みち、ゆき、ゆく
Joyo: コウ、ギョウ、アン、い・く、ゆ・く、おこな・う

If you want a complete list of joyo or Kanjidic readings then the 2nd & 3rd links above are to Google spreadsheets I made with that data.

Last edited by Katsuo (2012 April 25, 5:18 am)

With hindsight of, uhm, six years or so, the only specific readings drill I would do is the pure groups in RTK2. I know it isn't too popular among many people here, but I think it's worth it for the 480 readings with a unique phonetic component (中　仲　忠　沖 etc).

While you're doing that you can already jump into Core6k and you'll pick up plenty of readings.