Page 25 - Japanese Character Writing for Dummies

When you have enclosures, start with the outside stroke. The left vertical line comes first.

(examples: 四, 内)

If there is a vertical piercing line in the middle, draw that line last.

(examples: 中, 東)

If there is a horizontal piercing line, draw that line last.
(examples: 女, 子)

These are the basic rules for drawing kanji, but not every kanji follows them; in fact, there are more
detailed rules for certain kanji. Nonetheless, these basic rules will be very helpful. The more you
learn kanji, the more you will get the hang of the order of strokes. Keep practicing! Writing kanji
will help you learn stroke order, and this will help you remember kanji.

Each stroke is drawn with one continuous movement.

Types of strokes

There are three types of strokes that are especially important in Japanese calligraphy: tome (stop),
hane (hook), and harai (release).
Tome

Hane

Harai

If you have a chance to use a brush and ink, I hope you try it. You will come to understand kanji
even more!

You can refer to this chapter while practicing kanji in the next chapter. Now it’s time to grab a
pencil and some extra paper and get started!

CHAPTER 2 Exploring the Nature of Japanese Kanji 19