Japanese characters ( kanji) blend form and line to convey words and ideas in pictographs. Learning them takes time, practice, and sometimes . . . imagination! Here are some 150 of the most basic kanji(school grades 1-4) in a completely reimagined and fanciful format to make memorization and recognition fun, or just to delight anyone who loves how words and language can be transformed into playful visual art. Included are readings, meanings, and visual and text mnemonics presented in the author's distinctive style. The "Dragon Book" emphasizes kanjirelated to power and spirit. Michael Rowleyis a graphic designer in northern California.