Key Rules for Writing Kanji

 Key Rules for Writing Kanji 

Here are the essential rules for writing Kanji accurately and beautifully.

1. Follow the Correct Stroke Order 

Writing Kanji in the proper order helps you balance the character beautifully.

• General Rule: Usually, strokes go from top to bottom and left to right.

• ⚠️ Important Note: Strokes do not always go from top to bottom! Some characters have strokes that flick or move upward. Always check the specific order for each Kanji.

2. Check the Correct Stroke Count 

Make sure you count and write every single stroke accurately. Some Kanji have fewer strokes than they appear.

• Example: The Kanji for mouth, 「口」, is written in 3 strokes, not 4! (The top and right sides are written together as one continuous stroke.

 3. Pay Attention to "Tome," "Hane," and "Harai" 

The way you finish each stroke completely changes how clean and readable your Kanji looks:

• Tome (Stop): Bring your pen to a firm, clean stop.

• Hane (Hook): Flick or hook the pen upward slightly.

• Harai (Sweep): Gradually lift your pen to let the stroke fade out smoothly.

4. Keep the Overall Balance 

Many Kanji are made of multiple smaller parts. Make sure all the parts fit together nicely like a puzzle, keeping the entire character well-centred inside your writing space.

Reference: Marugoto Plus A1 - Introduction fo Japanese - Kanji