In this episode, we discuss how to start learning and mastering the most complicated part of the Japanese writing system, the kanji.  The kanji are the characters that were integrated into the Japanese language from Chinese.  Over time, these characters have diverged slightly from their Chinese counterparts and are now a separate entity unto themselves and are a crucial part of mastering Japanese reading and writing.

Cast:  Enrico Bianco, Jonathan Gardiner, Mike Oetlinger

Related links:
http://www.kantango.com/  (Kantango, mentioned by Enrico)
http://wakan.manga.cz/  (Wakan, mentioned by Mike)
http://www.yookoso.com/pages/kanji.php?file=display&grade=KOTD&date=1
(Yookoso! Kanji-a-Day, includes RSS feeds!)
http://ichi2.net/anki/  (Anki, the free and open source spaced repetition system) 

Related books:
Kanji & Kana, Hadamitzky and Spahn, Tuttle Language Library
The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary, Halpern, Kodansha International