Hashigo: A Next Generation Sketch Interactive System for Japanese Kanji

TL;DR

Hashigo is an interactive system that provides detailed critique and feedback on students' handwritten Japanese kanji, helping improve their writing technique and visual structure for more effective learning.

Contribution

This paper introduces Hashigo, a novel system that offers human-level critique on kanji sketches, addressing limitations of existing recognition systems in assessing writing technique.

Findings

Achieves human instructor-level critique of kanji sketches

Provides targeted feedback to improve students' writing technique

Enhances long-term kanji learning effectiveness

Abstract

Language students can increase their effectiveness in learning written Japanese by mastering the visual structure and written technique of Japanese kanji. Yet, existing kanji handwriting recognition systems do not assess the written technique sufficiently enough to discourage students from developing bad learning habits. In this paper, we describe our work on Hashigo, a kanji sketch interactive system which achieves human instructor-level critique and feedback on both the visual structure and written technique of students' sketched kanji. This type of automated critique and feedback allows students to target and correct specific deficiencies in their sketches that, if left untreated, are detrimental to effective long-term kanji learning.