Hi,

     Welcome to Jim's Kanji.  I'm Jim, sometimes known as Yaban-Jim.  This 
is to inform you of the various rules, as well to give you some helpful 
information.

          DEDICATION
     I am dedicating this work to the memory of the late Sensei John Yumoto.  
He was a absolute limitless well of interesting and useful information.  I 
went to him for help in learning about the Japanese Sword.  I was not advanced 
enought to gain the most from his teachings.  But that was my fault and not 
his.  He spent much of his life as a Instructor and Scholar at the US Navy 
Language Institute in Monterey, California.  During World War II he also was 
working for the US Navy on a book of the variations in the brush writing of 
the kanji. 
     The greatest thing that I learned from Sensei Yumoto was not to make 
enemies.  I now understand that but I am still not very good at it.  Sensei 
was able to rise above the petty bickering that hinders many of us.
     There where many times as I looked at one of my kanji that I just knew 
that Sensei Yumoto would say, "It looks like it is going to fall over."  "What 
is that suppose to be."  Or "That is very FAT isn't it."  Sensei Yumoto never 
taugh me specifically about kanji, but I "knew" what he would say.

          RULES
     The rules are really not very strict, or difficult!  Jim's Kanji is 
shareware.  That means that I own this software, not you.  But I sharing it
with you. Give copies of it to your friends, co-workers, or anyone else you 
care to.  But please follow the rules.  You must include the complete set of 
files without modification, addition or deletion of any kind.  But you may 
include other seperate and helpful files, that are labeled as such.
     You may not sell my software, or include it in a package for sale without
my written permission.  But you may charge a small fee ($10 US or less) for
your costs and services, (copying, cost of floppy disks, shipping, etc.). The
no sale rule does not apply to the sale of your written works that use my kanji
only as a font in a writing.
     I have done my best to insure that Jim's Kanji is trouble free.  But I 
can not accept any responsibility after it leaves my hands.  Therefore the 
user accepts full responsibility for what happens to his or others equipment 
and/or software.

          HELPFUL INFORMATION
     Basically I tried to make a system for writing good looking kanji 
(Japanese characters) that is affordable, and not too difficult to use.  
However I feel due to the massive numbers of different kanji demands some 
difficulty, especially for non-native users.  I also do not want it to take 
up very much disk space in it's usable form.  True Type appears to answer most 
of my demands.  As to disk space usage (about 2.5 meg.) remember that this 
covers over 2,500 characters, and a infinite number of sizes, (about 1/4 inch 
high and up is readable and usable).  Also those of you who use a commercial 
printing service may give them a copy of these files, if they are set up to 
use "True Type Files".  In the future more and more commercial printers should
have this service. However at this time the comercial printers are resisting 
this (WHY?). In the somewhat near future I will put this work out as "Adobe 
type 1" fonts.
     Part of my reason for doing this work is the fact that most of the 
current kanji systems are VERY Expensive, (and ugly).  Their prices really do 
not make them affortable for the average user or even small groups or business
(churches, clubs or newsletters).  And these prices make kanji systems totally 
out of reach for most student of the oriental material.  Also the prices 
really do not give much in the way of output.  Frequently they only use one 
small size of type face done in dot matrix.  And their larger sizes are just 
magnifications of their smaller sizes.  I suggest that if you are able to buy 
a legitimate copy of a reasonably priced kanji system, buy it.  The programmers
probably worked very hard to make their product and they deserve 
our support.  However if the company wants $500 (or even $200) for 2,000 crude
kanji show them my system are tell them to "Eat kanji and Die".
     These characters should also be usable to those of you who use Chinese
or Korean.  But my primary interest is Japanese, and my knowledge of Chinese 
or Korean is extremely limited.  However I may be able to assist you more, so
please read MORE HELP (below).
     I developed this to have a good looking character when printed, 
especially in a large size, (for posters etc.).  With a 300 DPI laser printer,
output is very good at 36 points (1/2 inch) or above.  With a 600 DPI 
resolution enhanced printer one could have readable output at less than 12 
points.  But most would need a magnifing glass to read it.  With a 9 pin dot 
matrix printer one may have to use 72 points (1 inch high) for clear results.
     This system is designed to be used in "Windows 3.1" and above.  Using
"Windows" allows minimal modification to your system (assuming that you 
already use Windows).  "Windows" is also a native environment for True Type.  
Any program that allows individual input of True Type characters should give 
a WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you get") result.  This would include many of
the "Windows" word processors, and draw programs.  With some work one can use 
the "Paint" program, or "Write" program along with "Character map" that comes 
with "Windows 3.1" for a output as good as possible, (at no extra cost).
     My system as it now sits contains 14 True Type files.  The first one is 
Kana.ttf.  It first contains 109 katakana, and then 105 hiragana.  There are 4
more hiragana in KanjiA.ttf.  There are 12 kanji.ttf files.  KanjiA.ttf, 
KanjiB.ttf, to KanjiL.ttf.  The kanji are in the order of Andrew N. Nelson's 
"The Modern Reader's Japanese-English Character Dictionary".  This is a very 
helpful book for those of us who did not have Japanese as a native language.  
"Nelson's" uses the radical system, and the number of strokes for it's order. 
This is similar to that used in other character dictionarys.  The native 
Japanese, Chinese, or Korean users will probably not have considerable problems
with my system.  The last 5 spaces for characters in each True Type file are 
left empty.  This is for the later additions which will undoubtably happen. I
have also added a Kanjispe.ttf which contains some of the Special kanji, or 
variations of kanji used by various artists.
     "Windows does not allow the characters numbered 0 - 32, 127 - 129, 141 - 
144, nor 157 - 158 to be used.  I also found a problem where some of the 
programs (including "Write" do not like to use character #160.  So the
characters #160 are also being placed in character position #251.  In 
KanjiD.ttf and higher I have left position #160 unused.
     I have included 109 katakana, 109 hiragana, the 1,850 Toyo Kanji, 28
substitutions recommended by the Japanese Press, 92 kanji recommended for
proper names, and some characters that where available and maybe useful.  This
gives over 2,550 characters.  This was a major work, and took over 2,000 hours,
which includes alot of necessary research, and translation (to get the brush 
stroke form).  As well as finding computer programs that would do the job.
     It also did not help that most of my work was done in Southern Mexico 
(Oaxaca).  I had a difficult time getting the software and equipment that I 
needed.  And the only kanji, that I could see was what I brought myself.  
Also my cleaning lady was able to "hid" my working papers faster than I was 
able to find them.  If I ever go through the hugh stacks of papers that she 
made weekly I will undoubtably find alot of strange things as well as long 
lost important papers.
     Please excuse my lack of knowledge of the artistic form for kanji.  But 
if you are not willing to put up with that you may have to wait for an 
artistic priest to redo this work properly.  And then you will probably pay 
a "Priestly amount" for it.
     Even I am not satisfied with all of my kanji.  As I was working on 
KanjiE.ttf there where already many kanji in KanjiA.ttf that I did not like.  
But even these look pretty good at a height of 2 or 3 inches.  I had viewed 
each character when finished, with a on screen character height of 9", but my 
artistic sense improved with use.  However this is a major work for one 
person. And if I waited until I am completely satisfied, this work would not 
be released for at least 6 more months.  So I plan to be slowly improving my 
kanji for years to come.  I suggest the users occasionaly look for new and 
improved versions of these files.  I also plan to bring these out as "Adobe 
Type".  And "Unicode" will help a great deal.  I might even be able to 
program a "Real Window's Program" that is made to write kanji.  Or I might 
find other shareware that will work.  But if I must spend a great deal for 
more programs to complete all this I may have to start charging for my work 
(causing more trouble for all).

          MORE HELP
     In the near future I plan on putting out smaller sets for more specific
projects.  I collect Japanese swords, and this is why I started this whole 
project.   When writing about swords in english only about 500 kanji are 
necessary, or helpful.  There is no reason to have 2,500 kanji in their 
computer for this type of work.  So I will make 2 or 3 "True Type Files" that 
contain the essentials for this work.  Some artists used variations of kanji 
for some of their signatures, and I shall include some of these.  If other 
writers have similar problems (for example writing about Japanese paintings, 
or ceramics), please contact me about your needs.
     I hope to be as helpful to you as possible.  But please do not expect 
too much.  I developed this in my spare time, and at my own expense.  I will
not even get college credit for my work.  If you have helpful critisism,
please give it.  If you have worth while and special needs, please tell me.
     I would especially like to put out a type face that is very close to the 
ancient artistic brush work.  For this I will need donations of good brush 
work of the characters to scan.  I will also need a legal release by the 
artist, so I may scan their work.  I will try to give full credit to the 
artist or artistsfor their work.
     For those of you that use the Chinese or Korean languages I would like
to help you in the future with your phonetic, or special characters.  But at
this time I do not know what they are, or even what they are called.  Please 
tell me!
     For those of you that would like to use Jim's Kanji on another type of
computer system, please contact me.  I might be able to convert it.  Or if 
you are able to convert it, please contact me, so I can have a copy for 
others. And I will be happy to give you authorization and credit for your 
work.  If those of us who share a problem pull together, there is nothing 
that we can not do.  This will then benefit our lives and the lives of those 
in our as well as other's communities.

     Jim Kurrasch
     7612 Newport Drive
     Goleta, California
     93117     USA
       (805) 968-8278
       InterNet kurrasch@west.net
       FTP site = west.net
           directory = /pub/users/kurrasch

          INSTALLATION
     I am releasing Jim's Kanji in 3 forms. The first is Kanji1.zip, this 
contains all necessary files, and would probably come on one floppy disk. 
The second form will probably be downloaded. To have all of Jim's Kanji you 
need 3 zipped files kanji1a.zip, kanji1b.zip, and kanji1c.zip. The third form 
is for those who are less computer knowledgeable. It contains all necessary
files on 2 floppy disks.
     First you must copy the kanji files to where you will use them.  You 
may use the "Copy files to Windows Directory" option, SEE BELOW.  This will 
probably be the System sub-directory of the Windows directory.  After this 
you will have to install the fonts in "Windows". To install the fonts start 
"Windows".  Go to the Main Group.  In this group start the Control icon.  
After the Control panel opens, double click on the Fonts icon.  When the Fonts 
panel is open click on ADD.  You may then have to change directories to the 
System sub-directory of the Windows directory, (or change to the floppy disk 
that contains the files).  After this select the desired fonts, kana.ttf, 
kanjiA.ttf - kanjiL.ttf, and the radicals if you desire the all that is 
available.  By activating the "copy files to Windows Directory" Button, it 
will do just that.  And you will not have to manually copy the files from the 
floppy drive.  At a later time you will be able to remove any that you do not 
want by reversing this and removing them instead of the add part.
     After you have installed the fonts, you should then open the "Write" 
program.  It is normally in the accessories group, if you have not moved it.  
I wrote this part in "Write" because it is available to all Windows users.  
Open Kanji.wri and print it.  It it will give a pictorial print out of all 
available kanji, kana, radicals and their location in the True Type files.  
The characters will be at 30 points.  Use "legal size paper (11 x 14 inches) 
and each of the seperate "True Type" files will be printed out on one page.  
And this will be a grand total of 13 legal pages.  If you do not use legal 
size paper you should remove the page breaks before printing. At this time due
to technical problems the last 3 files are extra. You probably should just 
erase that part prior to printing.
     I also am including a Kanji.doc. program similar to Kanji.wri. It is in 
the "Word for Windows 6.0" format. "Word" is a much eazier program to use my 
kanji in than "Write". Hopefully if you do not use one or the other of these
programs, your program can "translate". Remember that you MUST have the kanji
installed in "Windows" before Kanji.wri or Kanji.doc can read from them. If 
they are not installed you will basically get a page of symbols and foreign
characters.

     There is a file Kanjittf.txt which is in a tab-delimited text  
format.  This gives the TTF location number crossed referenced to Nelson's 
Number.  I have also started to place in other helpful information. but that 
project is on the back burner.  When I was in Mexico I tried to hire someone
to input that information, but they where never able to do what I wanted 
without me standing over them.  At that point it was better to do it myself.
     You will also be able to use "Write" or "Paint" and the "Character Map" 
program to write the Kanji (I wrote Kanji.wri in "Write"). If you do not have 
or do not wish to use another writing or paint program.  While using "Write" 
one has to be extremely careful with what character set is active (in 
"Write") when they are pasted in.  But if a mistake is made, just highlight 
the error, and change the character set (you will not have to input the 
characters again).  Still this problem will probably make you at least want 
to buy another program.  
     If you have another program that uses "True Type" such as "Word for 
Windows", "WordPerfect" or "Corel Draw" they will work fine.  Just follow the 
instructions in their manual to input True Type Symbols.
     You may not want to install all of the files.  Each file that you do not 
install will save about 200 kilobytes of disk space.  If you are using this 
program for Chinese or Korean there is no need to install the "kana.ttf" file. 
Or you may want to install the files on your floppy drives.  2 high density 
floppy drives could hold all the kanji files.  In this case just tell "Windows"
where they are.