Using the Kana Input Palette

The Kana Input Palette is designed for users who are not comfortable using Mac OS X’s built-in Japanese text entry system or who prefer not to have to switch between input methods. The Input Palette is not designed for entering large amounts of text and won’t produce kanji suggestions based on the kana typed.

kana input palette window

Entering text

Open the input palette by pressing the button marked ‘あ’ at the bottom of the Flash Card window. A small black window will open, until it is closed all keyboard input in iKanji will be passed through it.

Click into a text field and type either a consonant or vowel to change the kana input buttons. For example if you wanted to type ‘いぬ’ (dog) you would type an ‘i’ then press the button marked ‘い’ then type an ‘n’ and press the button marked ‘ぬ’. To enter katakana characters simply type a capital vowel or consonant. Characters are always ordered by vowel; a, i, u, e, o. So typing ‘n’ produces the line na, ni, nu, ne, no. For your convenience contractions are shown on the second line. So ‘nya’, ‘nyu’ and ‘nyo’ in this case.

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