The Starter Deck
Using JP1K for 1,000 Words Before Mining
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After you complete Kana Bootcamp, your vocabulary foundation comes next. You will be using the JP1K Anki Deck (Tatsumoto's) to build a core of ~1,000 words before moving into mining real-media content.
With this core base, new vocab from shows or books will not feel overwhelming. You will recognize a lot of what you see, making mining much more effective.
🎯 The Goal
- Use the JP1K deck as your core 1,000-word frequency set.
- Retain ~800 of those words well; ~80% is more than enough to start mining.
- Set yourself up so that when mining begins, you have enough recognition to avoid being lost in the weeds.
🗓 The JP1K Method Schedule (~10 Weeks)
| Week | Focus | Daily Task |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-10 | Work through the JP1K deck at ~20 new cards per weekday (Mon–Fri). | Morning reviews + new cards (~45-60 min). |
| Weekends | Reviews only, no new cards (Saturday & Sunday mornings). | Clear reviews (~30 min). |
- After ~10 weeks you will have seen all 1,000 (or nearly all) cards from JP1K.
- By that point, expect ~800 words solid enough to feel useful.
✅ Using the JP1K Deck
- Import the JP1K deck from AnkiWeb.
- Make sure the format is good: each card has the Japanese word and its meaning, preferably example usage / audio if available.
- Apply your Anki settings (same setup rules):
- New cards/day = 20 (Mon-Fri)
- Graduating interval = 2 days
- Leech rules: 3 lapses for reviewed cards, 5 lapses for new cards → auto-delete with no notification (Mortician)
- Hotkeys: h = Again, k = Good
🧠 What "Mature" Means for JP1K
Here is how maturity works with vocabulary cards:
- Learning = new card, just seen.
- Young = moderate familiarity, appears somewhat often but not daily.
- Mature = Anki now spaces it out a lot (intervals like 21+ days).
You do not need every word in JP1K to be mature. If ~80% of them feel automatic/comfortable, you are ready to move on and begin mining. The rest will mature through exposure in mining and media.
🎥 Start Watching Raw: Lightly
During JP1K, it is a good idea to start watching raw episodes.
- Do not expect comprehension. You will understand very little at first.
- The point is not to "study," but to start getting your ears used to Japanese rhythm, sound, and flow.
- Watch casually: anime, dramas, whatever interests you.
- Subs are optional. If you feel lost, English subs are fine for now.
👉 Think of this as dipping your toes in the water. By the time you finish JP1K and move into mining, raw immersion will already feel less intimidating.
🧘 Keep It Balanced
- Do not stress about perfect recall. Mortician will drop what does not stick.
- Do not worry if raw content feels incomprehensible. It is supposed to at this stage.
- Focus on recognition, routine, and getting comfortable with Japanese sounds.
⏱ Daily Time Estimate
- Weekdays: ~45-60 min (20 new + reviews).
- Weekends: ~30 min reviews only.
- Optional: Light raw viewing (1 episode a few nights a week, no pressure).
🚀 When You will Be Ready
Once you finish JP1K and have ~800 words solid:
- Proceed to the Weekly Hub Overview.
- Begin the mining loop:
- Weekday-morning mining,
- Weekend rest days,
- Weekdays: reviews + immersion + passive listening.
This core vocabulary will make your mining so much more productive and less stressful.
✅ JP1K Starter Checklist
- Import the JP1K deck
- Set Anki settings (new cards, leech rules, hotkeys)
- Study ~20 new per day, Mon-Fri
- Do reviews every weekend
- Reach ~80% comfortable retention
- Start watching some raw Japanese casually
- Finish the deck in ~10 weeks → ready for mining
JP1K is your bridge.
It takes you from "I know kana" to "I can start learning directly from Japanese."
Once you cross it, the weekly loop begins, and the countdown to 10,000 words is on.
Continue on to the next section: the Weekly Hub Overview where you will begin the next step of your journey to 10,000 words.