Hello all, I like to come up with my own mnemonics because they’re easier for me to remember. They’re usually connected to my existing memories and emotions, which makes them more memorable.
However, I’ve noticed that WaniKani reuses its mnemonics and recurring characters (for example, SHAman, KOUichi, SHOUgun, etc.). That makes me wonder whether I’ll run into problems at higher levels. My own mnemonics might not be useful for more advanced kanji, and I also won’t have memorized WaniKani’s mnemonics well enough to use them as references when they reappear.
Later in your word journey mnemonics as a whole will become a hinderance rather than a help. If they help you at the moment continue to use them until you no longer need them.
It’s fine to use your own mnemonics! That’s probably actually better for retention because of what you mentioned here:
I wouldn’t worry too much about having issues at the higher levels. If you start reading and listening soon, by the time you get to higher levels, it’ll be easier to learn new words without mnemonics anyways (I usually just glance at the mnemonics that WK provides these days and don’t try very hard to use them).
A lot of mnemonics repeat, like there are dozens of uses of Ghenghis Khan and the Shogun. So, every time they use “しょう” just remember your own mnemonic about going to the ballet show instead of the Shogun. Or try to picture the Shogun in the ballet show and the ensuing chaos…
Additionally, when a reading is securely attached to a meaning you can start to use that meaning as part of your mnemonics. Any time I have to remember こう, I try to fit a mouth 口 in the mnemonic.
