# Remembering the Kanji by James Heisig

3 Hacker News commenters recommended Remembering the Kanji by James Heisig and 1 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 2 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended for learning kanji meanings and writing through mnemonics and stories instead of rote memorization, with a set study order and about 30 minutes of daily practice. One commenter said they would not recommend it.

## Why people recommend it

- Mnemonic stories instead of rote memorization (2 comments): "It is fundamentally different from rote memorization that they would have you do at school, instead using mnemonics and stories." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46372621)) "RTK/wanikani style elements used for mnemonics" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46270700))
- Good order plus spaced repetition reviews (1 comments): "With a good order (RTK), optimal reviews (SRS) and putting 30 minutes a day it is possible to learn keyword to Kanji writing" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47805542))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Lingua Latina per se Illustrata by Hans Ørberg](https://hackerapproved.com/p/lingua-latina-per-se-illustrata.md): 10 recommend
- [Ōsweald Bera by Colin Gorrie](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sweald-bera.md): 4 recommend
- [The Fables of Orbilius by A.D. Godley](https://hackerapproved.com/p/fables-of-orbilius.md): 3 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0824835921?tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org/a/130825/9780824835927) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Remembering the Kanji by James Heisig", https://hackerapproved.com/p/remembering-the-kanji/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).