The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary, Revised and Expanded, 2nd Edition
The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary, Revised and Expanded, 2nd Edition is an English-language reference for looking up kanji and studying their meanings, readings and use in compounds. Its 3,002 entries and SKIP indexing system suit learners who want a substantial lookup tool, rather than a step-by-step course.
At a glance
- Includes readings, stroke order, meanings and compound usage examples for kanji.
- SKIP indexing is designed to help readers locate characters without relying only on alphabetical lookup.
- Readings are shown in kana rather than romanized Japanese.
- Expanded coverage includes name readings, alternative kanji forms and cross-references to The Kodansha Kanji Dictionary.
Reference price: $60.00
Price checked: Nov 13, 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- The 3,002-entry coverage and usage examples make it useful as a broad kanji lookup reference.
- SKIP provides a character-based search route, while meanings and readings support follow-up study.
- Kana readings can help learners connect entries with Japanese writing rather than romanization.
Technical specifications
10 specifications| Publisher | Kodansha USA |
|---|---|
| Publication date | March 22 2022 |
| Edition | Bilingual |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 1248 pages |
| Weight listed | 936 g |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 13 x 4.3 x 18.2 cm |
| ISBN-10 | 1568366256 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-13 | 978-1568366258 |
| Kanji entries | 3,002 |
|---|
What to know before buying
Listing details to confirm
The listing describes this as a reference dictionary with lookup and usage information. It does not establish a step-by-step teaching sequence or practice exercises.
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Japanese learners who want a substantial print reference for kanji meanings, readings, stroke order and compounds.
- Readers who want character lookup through SKIP as well as cross-references and name-reading coverage.
Less suited to
- Learners seeking a clearly specified guided course, workbook exercises or a smaller beginner-focused volume.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
87% 87% - 4 stars
8% 8% - 3 stars
3% 3% - 2 stars
0% 0% - 1 star
2% 2%
Customer feedback describes the book as a useful kanji reference and vocabulary resource, with positive remarks about its information and content. That fits the listing’s broad entry coverage and compound examples for learners who need lookup support. Aggregate ratings are strongly weighted toward five-star responses, but ratings alone do not establish how well it suits a particular learner or study method.
Positive themes
- Customers describe it as informative and useful for kanji learning and vocabulary reference.
- The supplied feedback summary characterizes responses to the content positively.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of information does the dictionary provide?
The listing describes meanings, readings, stroke order and usage in compounds, with core meaning keywords and additional character senses.
How can readers look up a character?
It includes the System of Kanji Indexing by Patterns, or SKIP, as a character-indexing method.
Is this presented as a course or workbook?
The supplied description presents it as a Japanese-English character dictionary. It does not specify a step-by-step course or workbook exercises.
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