Different Primitive Meanings

Marble101 Member

From: New Jersey USA Registered: 2011-09-05 Posts: 112

So I just read
http://forum.koohii.com/viewtopic.php?id=1774
(yeah, I know it's an old thread), but I realized that I used some of the principles outlined in it. For example, I had a very hard time using "Elbow" in my stories, so I assigned it the meaning "Chuck Norris" whenever it appeared in another kanji and it worked amazingly. I also called the "Vulture" primitive "Ninja".

Has anyone else done this, where they create a new primitive meaning instead of using Hesig's to facilitate the making of their stories?

Nukemarine Member

From: 神奈川 Registered: 2007-07-15 Posts: 2347

It's VERY common and comes highly recommended by many. I try to use some human like character to most of the primitives. The easiest for me has been to use Marvel or DC comic characters and a lot of animated movie characters. This allows the mental stories to have actors which allow for more visually exciting images for easier recall.

Field: Brain from Pinky and the Brain
Nose: Pinocchio
State of mind: Tin Man
Shellfish: Spongebob Squarepants
Mom: Marge Simpson
Older brother: Bart Simpson
Woman: Wonder Woman
Power: Superman
Person: Batman
Use: C3P0
Elbow: Legolas
Rice seedlings: Frodo (either shire or fellowship depending on primitive below it)
Human legs: Pirate with peg leg and club foot.
See: Mike Wazolski (Monsters, Inc.)

I even edit my Heisig deck to add what the primitive meaning is on the question side. Very helpful for rare kanji used mainly as primitives.

Katsuo M.O.D.

From: Tokyo Registered: 2007-02-06 Posts: 887 Website

Here's another old thread on the topic, started by the same poster.

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