KANJIDIC

KANJIDIC is an open-source dictionary file format designed to standardize the representation of Japanese kanji characters and their associated information. Developed primarily for use with Unicode-based computing systems, it serves as a comprehensive resource for kanji data, facilitating consistent access to linguistic and cultural details across various software applications.

The KANJIDIC file is structured in a tab-delimited format, where each line corresponds to a single kanji character. Each entry includes fields such as the Unicode code point, traditional and simplified forms, readings (onyomi and kunyomi), meanings, stroke counts, radical information, and historical variants. This standardized structure ensures compatibility with different tools, including dictionaries, educational software, and language-learning platforms.

Originally created by Jim Breen in the late 1990s, KANJIDIC has since been maintained and expanded by a community of contributors. It is widely adopted as a foundational dataset for projects like the *KanjiVG* font project, which provides vector-based kanji glyphs, and the *Kanji Study* application, which aids in memorization through spaced repetition. The format is also integrated into several open-source dictionaries, such as *Eijiro* and *Jisho.org*, enhancing their functionality and accuracy.

KANJIDIC is distributed under a permissive license, allowing free use and modification. Its open nature has made it a cornerstone for developers and researchers working with Japanese language technology, promoting interoperability and accessibility in digital kanji resources. While it focuses primarily on kanji, related projects like *KANJIDIC2* and *KANJIDIC_2020* have introduced additional features, such as extended meanings and historical annotations, to further enrich the dataset.