It breaks all kanji down into 6 levels from beginner to advanced levels, but it is specifically designed for the Intermediate who may have mastered a beginner's kanji book but needs help progressing.

This book is best for Intermediates who need to break the 1000 kanji level barrier. But I would still highly recommend it for Upper Beginners who only have a few kanji under their belt. I would recommend that beginners wait until they have the meaning of basic kanji (100-250) down before buying this book, though.

If you have been studying kanji for a while and feel like you are in a rut, this book will help fill in the gaps. The book covers all Joyo kanji (1,947) with many examples for each. In fact there are some 8,000 vocabulary words 'carefully selected to meet the needs and interests of adult students of Japanese.' Best thing is not only are you learning useful and related vocabulary, but the vocabulary listed covers just about all the vocabulary found on the JLPT 1 kyuu test!

Also see:
Workbook 1
Workbook 2

From the Introduction: How to Use Kanji in Context

1) Target Level
One of the assumptions for the effective use of Kanji in Context is that the learner has mastered the 200-300 kanji normally taught in a typical beginning course. In terms of this text, you should already be familiar with most of the key words for the kanji entries in Level 1 (kanji no.1-250). If you have mastered these kanji, then you should be able to make effective use of the reference book and the workbook together to systematically learn the kanji and vocabulary presented.

If you are still at the beginning level, you can quickly increase your knowledge of compounds and other vocabulary by using the reference guide to systematically organize the kanji that you study in your beginning course textbook. As for the workbook, you should perhaps wait until you have increased your knowledge of kanji and vocabulary to a certain extent before you start using it.

2) Where to Start
For the most part, Levels 1 and 2 of the kanji entries in the reference book represent the beginning level of study, Level 3 represents the intermediate level, Level 4 represents the advanced level, and Levels 5 and 6 represent the post advanced level. While it is possible for you to enter this text at any point in accordance with your current level of proficiency and preferred study method, generally it will be best to start at the beginning with Level 1. Although you are most likely already familiar with a large number of the kanji in Levels 1 and 2, study of these levels is sure to help expand your knowledge of kanji-based vocabulary. In addition, the lessons in the workbook corresponding to Levels 1 and 2 contain more kanji than the other lessons so that you can quickly and efficiently proceed with your studies.

3) Studying Kanji and Kanji-based Vocaublary with Kanji in Context
Below are some pointers that will help you get the most out of the special design of this text. However, as everyone has his or her own preferred study method, feel free to study this text in the manner that best serves your needs after you have become aquantainted with its set-up.

Step 1: Acquire a fundamental knowledge of the kanji entries
Fully memorize the meaning and reading of the key words in the reference book and the kanji from which they are composed. This study gives you a fundamental knowledge of the kanji.

Step 2: Learn the meaning and usage of the kanji entries
Go over the vocabulary listed for each entry in the reference book to learn the meaning and usage of the kanji.

Step 3: Study the vocabulary
Memorize the meaning and reading for all the unmarked vocabulary in the reference book.

Step 4: Study the usage of the vocabulary and learn related words
Use the workbook to study the usage of the vocabulary from the reference book and other words related to the vocabulary. Be sure to fully memorize the meaning, reading, and usage of all the underlined words (the unmarked vocabulary from the reference book). If you are unable to recall the meaning or reading for a particular word, then go back to the reference book to get this information.

Step 5: Check your mastery
Have your Japanese teacher or a friend make simple quizzes for you to check your mastery of the material. Use just the unmarked vocabulary in the reference book for the quizzes.

ISBN: 4-7890-0753-7