REVISED EDITION now with FREE MP3s and Printable PDFs as a download Many teachers recommend learning hiragana as a first step toward Japanese proficiency. Helpful mnemonics and illustrations help the student quickly learn the characters painlessly. You can learn hiragana in less than two weeks using this book if you can set aside a few minutes a day to study. * Helpful Mnemonics * Fully Illustrated * Covers all forty-six main characters plus all the variations * History and helpful hints throughout * Writing Practice Sheets * Download more PDF practice sheets and the sound files of all hiragana for free.