Hello Steemians,
I'm always fascinated with the Japanese language ever since the first time I watched an anime. It's the reason why I enrolled a Nihongo Language as an Elective during my fourth year in college though we don't have that kind of subject in our curriculum.
However, I was really disappointed because I didn't learn how to read and write a Kanji. It's my most awaited topic, after all. So, I had to do some self-study by myself.
Kanji originally came from China to Japan. The term “kanji” literally means “Han characters” or “Chinese characters” and it is identical to the characters in China to describe their writing. - Nihongo Ichiban
So here, I've provided a step-by-step procedures on how to write the basics of Kanji. I may have done it differently as I am not a fluent speaker and writer of the language, but I do hope you'll understand.
To start of, I'm going to write the Kanji for the numbers first, followed by the elements and then the directions. I use watercolor as a paint, a paint brush and some papers. So it's more like painting them rather than writing but I'll use the term 'write' here.
Kanji for number 1
- First, I draw a straight line across the paper using a pencil. It serves as my guide when applying the watercolor (though, I didn't include the photos of the sketches). And then, I wet the brush with a black-colored watercolor paint and write it over the sketched line. This kanji has only one stroke, as you can see.
Meaning: One
Onyomi: Ichi / Itsu
Kunyomi: Hito
I don't know if it's how it is but I noticed, when they write, the first stroke has always starts from either the left or the top. I think it's the term yokogaki and tategaki. So, I always keep that in mind as a good practice.
Kanji for number 2
- This kanji has two strokes, as seen. Start off with a shorter line across the paper. As always, start writing from left to right.
- Now for the second stroke, it's a longer one. The same as the first stroke, start writing from left to right.
Meaning: Two
Onyomi: Ni
Kunyomi: Futa
Kanji (Chinese characters) have two different readings – the onyomi and the kunyomi. The onyomi is closer to the original Chinese language and is mostly used for nouns. The kunyomi reading is used to show the traditional Japanese pronunciation. It is most frequently used when kanji appear in adjectives or verbs. - Nihongo Ichiban
I'm gonna write the kanji of the numbers 1 to 10, and the counting words like hundred and thousand. I know, it's sloppy but I'd really like to share this one and what I've learned so far.
Until next time,
tina