LexiKAN Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

LexiKAN is a Windows-based software program designed to help you learn to write and read Japanese kanji, hiragana, and katakana. It is a flashcard program, but one with a unique emphasis on writing characters rather than just reading or recognizing them. Using a new kanji-input system where calligraphy-style characters are drawn stroke-by-stroke, you can practice writing any kanji and receive instant feedback on correct stroke placement and order. With LexiKAN 2.0, the same power is extended to the hiragana and katakana alphabets for more beginning students. For more detailed information, see "What can I do with LexiKAN 2.0?" or see the Product Features page. If you download the demo version, there is also a detailed explanation of the program in the help system - look at the top of the table of contents for 'Welcome to LexiKAN 2.0."

Why is LexiKAN different?

Learn to Write and Read

Unlike every other inexpensive kanji learning software available today, LexiKAN provides an emphasis on practicing writing kanji, using a powerful and LexiKAN-only kanji writing technique. You may have found it difficult to remember kanji characters for long after only practicing your recognition with traditional flashcards. With repeated practice of the correct writing, you'll certainly improve your writing, but your reading ability will also be dramatically increased. Using the LexiKAN kanji input technique, you can write any kanji character using only the 'stroke' of the mouse. As you draw a character, you receive feedback on the correct stroke order and placement of every stroke. You can also look up characters in the LexiKAN kanji database using handwriting recognition. A graphic depiction of this input technique is shown here.

With the release of LexiKAN 2.0, the powerful writing feedback system has been extended to the hiragana and katakana alphabets, allowing the beginning student to master the correct writing of these important building blocks to learning written Japanese.

Flashcard "Quiz Modes"

In addition to the unique writing capability, LexiKAN also has a dynamic flashcard mode where in addition to single kanji characters, you can practice recognition of compound kanji words, inflected verb forms, and words written entirely in kana. Using a 'Multiple Choice' or 'Fill-in-the-Blank' style "Quiz Mode" you can practice your recognition of kanji and kana while the program tracks your performance. You can choose to be quizzed on the Japanese reading / pronunciation or English meaning of the character(s) on each flashcard. If you prefer, simply 'flip' through each card, displaying readings, meanings, verb forms, and reference information, all tailored to your preference.

100 % Customizable

This is all possible due to the flexibility of the LexiKAN system. With the customizable "Word Group" framework, you create any number of flashcard study lists containing the characters and words you desire. You can also import flashcards and Word Groups from files provided by other users, teachers, or this website. For an even more powerful way to create your own flashcards, see the next section regarding the Flashcard Builder tool.

What is the LexiKAN Flashcard Builder?

With the powerful LexiKAN Flashcard Builder tool, you can instantly create a custom syllabus of kanji and compound flashcard vocabulary based on grade level, JLPT kyuu, or one of 10 common kanji reference sources. This flexible feature allows you to almost instantly create a comprehensive series of study lists containing kanji and related compound vocabulary. This tool can access over 6,000 characters from the LexiKAN and KANJIDIC databases, and over 100,000 compounds and kana loan words from the EDICT Japanese electronic dictionary file.

New with version 2.08 (7/05) is the ability to use the Flashcard Builder tool on an existing Word Group/study list in the Word Group View. Now you can create your own custom kanji lists and automatically generate a compound vocabulary containing the kanji in each list.

What kanji reference sources are supported?

The 10 references supported by the LexiKAN kanji database for searching and flashcard creation are listed below. See the help section of the LexiKAN program for more detailed reference information.

	Hadamitzky and Spahn - “Kanji and Kana, Revised Edition"
	Halpern - “The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Dictionary”
	Halpern - “NTC’s New Japanese-English Character Dictionary”
	Heisig - “Remembering the Kanji – Volume I"
	Henshall - “A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters”
	Kodansha - “Kodansha’s Compact Kanji Guide"
	Nelson - “The New Nelson Japanese-English Character Dictionary”
	Nelson - “The Original Modern Reader’s Japanese-English Character Dictionary"
	O’Neill - “Essential Kanji"
	Sakade - “A Guide to Reading and Writing Japanese"

Are there any system requirements?

LexiKAN is designed for any Windows operating system since Windows 95.

Is a Japanese font required?

No. Thanks to the database of kanji and kana characters used by the program for drawing practice, the program will work just fine without a Japanese font on your machine.

However... in order for LexiKAN to provide the most valuable kanji learning experience, or to display many of the additional characters in the KANJIDIC or EDICT files, a compatible Japanese font installed on your computer is recommended. A widely available Japanese font is MS Mincho, which is distributed with newer Windows and Office software (but which we were prohibited from packaging for free). If it is not part of your Windows OS, it can be located at numerous places on the web, as discussed on our font page. If you do not have a compatible font, the program will recognize this and compensate by emulating a Japanese font using the kanji and kana stroke locations contained in the LexiKAN databases.

Is there a help system?

Yes. An extensive help system accompanies every program, including the Demo Version, providing detailed information on how to use all of the features of the program. An instruction manual written in Microsoft Word can also be downloaded from this website.

DOWNLOADING A DEMONSTRATION

Can I download it?

Yes. On our download page, you can download versions for each of the Windows operating systems. The only difference in the versions is the Windows installer which makes the 95, 98, and NT "setup" programs larger.

What can the Demo Version do?

The demonstration version has all of the features of the full version and opens a pre-loaded sample of kanji, compound, and kana flashcards at start-up. With this sample data, you can explore and use all of the Writing and Reading practice modes of the full program. You can also use the hiragana and katakana learning tools. Another powerful feature is the Flashcard Builder tool. Click the "Flashcard Builder" button on the main page and use the default options to instantly create some elementary kanji flashcards along with compound vocabulary for these characters from the subset of the EDICT file included with the demo.

A 'Guided Tour' option is available (Ctrl-T) which will help you quickly become familiar with the layout of the program and its features. If you choose to manually add "Word Groups" and flashcards in addition to those created by the Flashcard Builder, the demo version only allows you to add a limited number, basically to let you experiment with the customizability features.

The program will run for an unlimited evaluation period, but the File management features (Open, Save, Import/Export) which allow you to load or save flashcard information are disabled.

ORDERING

How do I order and download the full version?

To order an immediate "One-Click" download installation of the full version of LexiKAN 2.0, go to our order page. Links are provided which will take you to the LexiKAN order form at Kagi.com. Kagi accepts almost any form of payment and will notify you immediately when your order and payment is processed. This notification e-mail will contain a password and a web address at which you can execute a One-Click installation of the full version of the program. The installation requires that you use the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser. With a broadband internet connection, the installation process takes only about 1-2 minutes.

Can I get a CD copy of the program?

If you would like a CD copy of the program, you can indicate this on the Kagi.com order page and an additional $5 fee will be charged covering the CD and the cost of shipment to any international location.

Do I really need a CD copy of the program?

When you execute the one-click download installation using the link and password contained in the order confirmation e-mail, a copy of the installation is saved on your computer. An installation file (.msi) and a data file (.cab) are saved in the "C:\Windows\Download Installations\LexiKAN" directory. If you copy these two files to a CD, you have just created a backup installation CD for the program. If you would rather receive a CD copy in the mail, an additional $5 (USD) will get one sent to you anywhere in the world (... with an address!).

SUPPORT

How do I update the kanji and compound databases used by LexiKAN?

LexiKAN uses its own proprietary kanji database containing stroke-order information and readings for over 2,000 kanji, including all of the Jouyou kanji. The program also uses the publicly available KANJIDIC (starting with 2.10) and EDICT compound databases. All three of these sources are periodically updated and made available on the LexiKAN support page.

Starting with version 2.10, LexiKAN includes an "Update Databases" command which links with this website to detect, download, and install the latest version of these three files. If you are using an older version of LexiKAN, you can manually download any of the databases from the LexiKAN support page.

If you are trying the LexiKAN Demo Version, it comes with a smaller sample of the kanji and compound databases and cannot be updated online or manually (see the 'Demo Notes' on the main view of the program for more information).

Can I download LexiKAN Files?

Yes. On the LexiKAN 'Online Support' page, you can download pre-built flashcard lists to use with the full version of the program. With the Flashcard Builder feature in LexiKAN 2.0, you can instantly create flashcard lists so the pre-built files that were very useful in version 1.0 are no longer as important, but they remain available for 1.0 users who have not upgraded to version 2.0.

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