Katakana, the Basics of Japanese

Start recognizing the Japanese words hiding in plain sight.A café menu. A hotel sign. A familiar brand name. Katakana appears throughout everyday Japanese, and learning to read it can make those unfamiliar shapes begin to make sense.Katakana: The Basics of Japanese by Clay and Yumi Boutwell takes you through all 46 basic characters in ten manageable chapters. Learn each shape, connect it with a sound, and put it to work in words you can read. No previous knowledge of Japanese or hiragana is required.Inside, you will find:Memory stories that connect each character's appearance with its sound.Numbered stroke diagrams and guided writing practice.Vocabulary introduced before the exercises that test it.Focused help with easily confused characters, including シ and ツ.Clear explanations of long vowels, small characters, sound marks, and common combinations.Reading activities using menus, signs, and everyday words.Chapter checks, three listening checks, and answer keys for independent study.Includes audio, worksheets, and an Anki flashcard deckNative Japanese audio is accessible through links and QR codes in the book. Listen, repeat, and return to the recordings as you practice. No account or email address is required for the audio.Start with a few characters, build a steady practice habit, and give yourself a useful skill for your next step in Japanese.