Japanese Study Aids

Even more situation-based phrases for Japanese students!

Get any kanji imprinted on this authentic Japanese name stamp!

In Japan, hanko (name stamps) are used in lieu of signing your name as the way of signifying agreement, and the culture of these stamps has always been fascinating to gaijin unfamiliar with Japanese ways. Now you can get any kanji name you want on your very own Japanese name stamp. This is a quality stamp made of wood with any custom name or message you want on it, which will be a great connection to you and Japan. This name stamp is also legally able to be used in Japan (just register it with your local city office).

You can choose between 1-6 kanji, hiragana or katakana characters, and the Japanese staff of J-List will be happy to help you choose the best character for what you want to express. This type of stamp is usually used for names, and there are multiple approaches foreigners can take when choosing a name. Here are three examples:

This is an example of a name in katakana, the Japanese writing system used for foreign words and names. It says "Payne."	Kanji can be chosen based on their pronunciation, too. In this case we're using the "peh" sound from Peking ("North Capital") and the "in" sound from the Buddhist temple Byodoin near Kyoto.	There are ways of choosing kanji based on meaning, called ateji or forcing a reading on a character. For example, "Payne" comes from the French pan (bread), the name could be written with a character (archaic in this case) for bread.

This stamp can also be used to express your favorite character or concept, from love (ai) to sincerity (makoto) to a wacky message you'd like to create, as long as it can fit within the character limit for this stamp. After adding this item to your shopping cart you can type comments to the J-List staff and we'll verify the characters you want before finalizing the order. We also humbly request to include a pronunciation guide for all unique spelling of names.

Since the stamps are custom made by a company here in Japan, please allow 2-4 weeks for your name stamp to be made, prior to the shipping date.

A great way to learn Japanese through situation-based phrases!

When a student starts off in learning Japanese, one of the first writing systems they learn to use is hiragana (used for standard Japanese words). However, another writing system used for writing foreign words (called katakana) is just as important, but not emphasized enough. However, here's a fun and cute way to learn Japanese katakana in a cute children's workbook. Each page features a specific katakana character surrounded by cute illustrations and English translation of various words that represent the sound of the character being spoken. Hardcover so it will last throughout the years. Perfect for those who are also trying learn Japanese.

Because this magazine isn't published monthly, subscriptions are only available on a revolving (per-issue) basis. (More like this) (Direct link to this product)

A fabulous bilingual book that teaches you everything you need to know about Japan!

About this software product: This is a standard Nintendo DS software cartridge made for the Japanese market. It is compatible with DS hardware (both the original DS as well as DS Lite) from around the world. Note that the game itself and game manual are in Japanese. We recommend that you use this program with other study tools to learn the correct pronunciations for Japanese. (More like this) (Direct link to this product)

Get your very own custom Japanese "hanko" stamp!

Here's a deluxe custom-made name stamp with case and ink included. The stamp is made of hard wood and laser-etched for perfect imprinting on paper every time. It comes with a high quality plastic case and red ink pad right inside, so you are never without the ability to stamp your name wherever you are. This stamp is also suitable to be legally used as an official name stamp in Japan, if registered with a city office in Japan.

You can choose between 1-4 kanji, hiragana or katakana characters, and the Japanese staff of J-List will be happy to help you choose the best character for what you want to express. This type of stamp is usually used for names, and there are multiple approaches foreigners can take when choosing a name. Here are three examples:

Most foreign names are written in the standard katakana character set. This says "Dennis."	We can help choose intereting-looking kanji for your name. These characters mean "exit" "mercy" and "happiness" and are also read "Dennis."	Why get a name at all? Choose a kanji character you like and have it printed as large as possible on the hanko stamp. This is ai (love).

Just about anything is possible with these great custom-made Japanese name stamps. After adding this item to your shopping cart you can type comments to the J-List staff and we'll verify the characters you want before finalizing the order. We also humbly request you include a pronunciation guide for all unique spelling of names.

Because the stamps are custom made by a company here in Japan, please allow 2-4 weeks for your name stamp to be made.

A great set of speakers for your iPod, sold only in Japan!

A wacky but useful item from Japan -- a mousepad that shows you how to input kana into a computer!

Hanko, or name stamps, are a big part of the difference between Japan and the West, and when you "sign" an important document you always do it with one of these stamps. Here's a very flexible custom-printed stamp that will allow you to create just about any message you want in Japanese!

This stamp is wide enough to allow you up to 8 characters of Japanese (either kanji, hiragana or katakana) per line, allowing for more complex words and phrases. You can also add additional lines, allowing you to create a larger stamp three lines high, for example one that was 8 characters by three lines for a total of 24 characters. English letters can also be typeset, 14 characters per line. Here are three examples:

The wider stamp is recommend if you have a longer Japanese name that won't fit easily into one of the other stamps. For example, Chieko Hasegawa.	You could choose a simple Japanese phrase that you wanted for your stamps, like "arigato" (thank you).
Make a stamp of your favorite Japanese quote. This one is "You're not going to die. I will protect you" from Evangelion.	Or recreate your favorite Haruhi Suzumiya line, like "I have no interest in normal human beings."
You can also get English letters typeset, 14 characters per line. Note that if a word is cut off, it will have to be moved to the next line down.

As with the other custom name stamps, the native Japanese staff of J-List will be happy to work with you to get just the right phrase created for you. After adding this item to your shopping cart you can type comments to the J-List staff and we'll verify the characters you want before finalizing the order. We also humbly request a pronunciation guide for all unique spellings of names.

Because the stamps are custom made by a company here in Japan, please allow 2-4 weeks for your name stamp to be made.