How to Count Strokes in Japanese Characters

Japanese characters, also known as kanji, are often classified by their stroke count, which is the number of individual lines required to write the character. Since single strokes can at times look like double strokes and vice-versa, it helps to know what to look for to properly count the number of strokes in a character. Knowing how to count strokes can help you find kanji in reference materials, and can be a great aid when translating Japanese texts.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. A stroke is counted from when the brush/writing utensil touches the page to when it lifts, even if it changes direction. Study kanji closely to learn the basic patterns of strokes. With brushed kanji, you can usually tell the starting and ending point of a stroke by the texture of the brush stroke.

2. Count each single horizontal stroke as one.

3. Count each single vertical stroke as one. Note that many vertical strokes will bisect horizontal strokes; they still only count as one.

4. Other strokes are accent strokes--smaller marks added after all horizontal and vertical strokes have been written. Each accent stroke counts as one.

5. Watch for any boxlike shapes. Often, although they have four enclosing sides, they'll only have three strokes--so don't count them as four. They're usually drawn with one vertical stroke, one horizontal stroke, and one turning stroke that paints a horizontal line first before turning at right angles to add a vertical line without lifting the brush.

6. Scrutinize closely for other angled strokes that may seem like two, but are actually one--such as parts of the kanji for the word "watashi". There are many irregular examples that you'll learn to recognize with practice and familiarity. If you're having trouble telling, look at where they meet in the middle; does it look as if they overlapped, or as if the brush simply turned before continuing in another direction?