“I” OR “い” SAYS “EE”
2 STROKES 

The first stroke looks a little like a fish hook (but not quite written that way). Make a slightly curved vertical line down, then (without picking up your pen) give it a small up-stroke. These characters were originally written with a brush, and this was just a small pull upwards that gave it flair. It shouldn’t be too deliberate – more a fast pull than anything.

Second, on the right – make a vertical line downwards slightly curved to the left.

FINAL

EXAMPLES (FROM TOP 1000 JAPANESE WORDS)

• しかい (Shikai) = Dentist
• せんせい (Sensei) = Teacher
• い (i) = Stomach

Tags: い, Beginning Japanese, education, Hiragana, How to write, Japanese, Japanese 101, Language, learning