Recognition of Japanese Phonographic Kana (Hiragana) and Logographic Kanji Characters by Passive Finger Tracing

Abstract

The present study assessed the ability of normal Japanese adults to recognize kanji and hiragana characters through passive finger tracing without visual cues. We tested fifty-six right-handed Japanese university students using the left or right hand. Participants recognized approximately 50% of 44 kanji characters, regardless of the hand they used. The results are consistent with previous findings in Chinese speakers. In contrast, the average correct response to the 44 hiragana was almost 80%, again irrespective of hand. The results are discussed in terms of differential processing systems for Japanese writing and of differential cerebral hemispheric specializations.