Manual of Japanese Writing - Book 1

the long version

*A Manual of Japanese Writing, Book 1* by Hamako Ito Chaplin and Samuel E. Martin, published in 1967 by Yale University Press, is an introductory text in a three-volume series designed to teach non-native learners the Japanese writing systems, focusing on hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji. It introduces kana through charts and exercises emphasizing stroke order and pronunciation, while presenting around 25 kanji per lesson with their readings, meanings, and usage in drill sentences to build vocabulary and contextual understanding. The book encourages memorization and fluency without reliance on romanization, though it includes romaji and English translations for support. Aimed at classroom or self-study, it covers a subset of the 881 kyōiku kanji, with cross-referenced indices for further study, but its 1960s style and romanization approach may feel dated, requiring supplementary modern resources for optimal learning.