This weeks update...
Added 2025-05-19 03:11:32 +0000 UTCThere's no new piece today as this week's update focused on updating some of the previous ones instead.
First, I've swapped out SVG generated images in Textbook Example 3. A beautiful jet-black gem! and 10. There'll be dead people! for both the romaji and kana versions. These are now JPGs that are significantly smaller and -- hopefully will load faster. The aspect ratios for these seem to be okay at all the sizes I can check, but if you notice them breaking, please let me know.
I've also spent a fair part of my available time this week tracking down suitable fonts for the Iroha pieces. And have revised the first one accordingly.
The original can be found here: https://moonrunesaga.bansama.com/603d24ml/jsa7rdhp/premium/iroha/hiragana-a.html
(note that the kanji stroke order font is damned large and likely to take a few minutes to download / display)
The revised version is here:
https://moonrunesaga.bansama.com/603d24ml/jsa7rdhp/premium/iroha/hiragana-a-v2.html
This one drops the kanji stroke order font and uses images created with it instead. I'm aware that the aspect ratio for the kanji (安) image does go a little odd at small screen sizes. I'll need to tweak the css later to try and find a suitable fix.
The font now used for Kotoha's section is a serif style font -- that is, it contains hooks were traditional brush strokes would have them. So, for example, you can see in 来 where the second and third strokes differ. For Inari's text, a sans-serif, handwritten style font is used, this does not contain the same clearly defined strokes.
Lastly, I've included some extra information for the kanji in Kotoha's section. There's currently no key, so I'll explain it here:
K - Kun reading (the Japanese reading of a character), O - On reading (the Sino-Japanese reading derived from original Chinese readings). R - the radical number as listed in the New Nelson Kanji dictionary and Kanji & Kana (Hadamitzky & Spahn) book, etc. JLPT - the Japanese language proficiency test level where you'll first encounter the kanji, JSG - the Japanese school grade at which the kanji is taught. Below this is some sample compound words using the kanji. This info is still a work in progress. I'd love to hear your feedback!
Have a good week, and I'll see you next time with another Zero to Hero lesson!
