I’m currently writing notes with a size 0.2 pen but I’ve noticed that some of my kanji are coming out smooshed. I have a size smaller, but I’m wondering if I will just run into a similar problem when I get to the upper levels of wanikani. Currently I’m struggling to make 電 and 道 legible and these are only level 8.
For people who do hand written notes, what are your solutions? My english handwriting is awful so I really want to curb my issues before they become full fledged habits.
Pic related https://imgur.com/gallery/KZurzwV
8 comments
Write bigger
Unrelated but be careful with how you’re writing your ん
Yeah, a smaller pen would help.
If it makes you feel better, I write a lot of notes by hand, and 電 used to give me trouble too, but now I can write it legibly-enough with the less-thick pen. But other kanji still give me trouble. You get better at making them look right as you practice more.
I find it helps to practice at a bigger size (like using a 2×2 grid on graph paper) and using those grid lines to help (jisho provides good examples with the grid lines.) But as you write the kanji more, you’ll eventually be able to make it smaller without it looking as stupid.
But some just have a lot of stuff in them and are either going to need to be bigger, or be a bit hard to read.
Assuming your pen being .2 is in mm then the size is fine. I use a .3mm pencil and don’t have any issues. Your kanji are coming out smushed because you’re righting them so small. Try and write them so they take up the full line. So many of your kanji(and kana) are half sized.
As another user said, writing them bigger will surely help but if that isn’t your thing then work on your strokes a little bit. Try to make your strokes more quickly and hold the pen a little firmer.
It’s a game of confidance, really.
Those horizontal lines are a bit too close IMHO. Consider using different paper (maybe wider lines or grids etc).
For practicing and improving your writing, try using the paper used by grade school students. There are different types, but maybe start with the big boxes divided into quarters.
I think 0,5mm is the most popular pen tip in Japan for handwriting. Some inks bleed more than others so that is a consideration.
Students tend to use pencils rather than pens (perhaps the added friction helps with muscle memory). Once again, 0,5 is the most popular size in Japan.
On a side note, it would look nicer if you incorporate/distinguish とめ/はね/はらい. Simply look up some decent handwriting video and see how the strokes end.
Get a brush pen and writer larger. I personally use graph paper
Just got to practice writing and work on spacing.