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KanjiDB Kanji Search Documentation - De Roo Codes

Developed by Father Joseph De Roo for 2001 Kanji, the De Roo code is a method of describing and indexing kanji characters based on their visual layout. It is intended for use by beginners and requires no knowledge of a character's radical, pronuciation, or precise number of strokes.

This page provides a quick overview of the De Roo system, and contains text found in 2001 Kanji second edition. A more complete and accurate description can be found in 2001 Kanji (Joseph R. De Roo, Bojinsha, 1982)

The Code

The De Roo code for a character is based on two numbers, one representing the top or top left of the character, and the other representing the bottom or bottom right of the character. The numbers corresponding to character elements are found below:

Quick Navigation:

• Top or Top Left
  • Dot
  • Vertical Line
  • Diagonal Line
  • Horizontal Line
• Bottom or Bottom Right
  • Dot
  • Left Hook
  • Vertical Line
  • Right Hook
  • Diagonal Line
  • Back Diagonal Line
  • Bottom of Head
  • Bottom of Watakushi
  • Horizontal Line
• Additional Rules

Top or Top Left

There are only four possibilities: DOT (丶), VERTICAL LINE (丨), DIAGONAL LINE (丿) or HORIZONTAL LINE (一). Each of these four strokes can occur either in isolation or in connection with one or more strokes. Each of the four groups of graphic elements correspond to the four basic strokes in their immediate environment. Each element has a number which will become the first half of the De Roo code.

Bottom or Right Bottom

There are nine possibilities: DOT (丶), LEFT HOOK (亅), VERTICAL LINE (丨), RIGHT HOOK, DIAGONAL LINE (ノ), BACK DIAGONAL LINE (ヽ), BOTTOM OF HEAD 疋, BOTTOM OF WATAKUSHI 厶, HORIZONTAL LINE (一). They are listed in association with one or more strokes. The number of the bottom element will become the second half of the kanji number.

The number of the kanji you are looking for consists of the top number coming first and the bottom number coming second, the two numbers being placed side by side. E.g.,漢 363 (3 63), 字 747 (7 47).

There are two rules always to keep in mind:

• Ignore the complete enclosure 囗and the "walk" radical 辶. Look at the top and bottom (in some cases only the bottom) of what is inside the complete enclosure, and of what is to the upper right of "road". E.g.,囚 1262, 個 2177, 道 979, 縫 2755.
• When a part is enclosed by the "gate" radical, take the bottom or right bottom of that part. E.g., 闘 3848, 欄 1864.