This new approach of learning Kana & Kanji by their shape will help you saving a lot of writing practice time. There is always a strange feeling for Japanese language learners when complex Kanji are introduced, while characters with fewer strokes - often part of those complex Kanji - are postponed because of their relevance,

e.g. 聞く (hear, listen to) - 耳 (ear), 門 (gate).

One of the most astounding aspects of learning the written Japanese language however, is the fact that all media (print & internet) and teachers are displaying the famous "fifty sounds table" (五十音図 - gojûonzu) not only as reference but also as the "Holy Grail" of how (and in which order) to learn the Hiragana & Katakana...

Remember the days back in school when YOU started to learn the alphabet: Did you really begin with the letter "A" and ended with "Z"? Or was it that you had a lot of writing practice AND had to remember the order of the letters in the alphabet?

Nowadays, with electronic dictionaries and word processing the only chance of using the logic of the famous "fifty sounds table" is while browsing a printed Japanese dictionary.

All you need to know for looking up a word in a Japanese dictionary is the order of the Japanese syllabaries (Hiragana & Katakana): A-I-U-E-O (あ-い-う-え-お) and A-KA-SA-TA-NA-HA-MA-YA-RA-WA (あ-か-さ-た-な-は-ま-や-ら-わ). Repeat these two phrases a few times and they are learnt, forever.

Now, let's start learning the Japanese characters the smart and economic way: by their shape - and be impressed by your quick progress in writing and remembering the Kanji & Kana. Don't worry you might get confused - this could happen anyway!