Here's why:
* Kanji are originally pictograms: They were created to represent objects and concepts visually. For example, the kanji for "sun" (日) looks like a stylized sun, and the kanji for "tree" (木) resembles a simple tree.
* Many kanji are still recognizable: Even though they have evolved over time, many kanji still retain a visual resemblance to the original objects they represent.
* Kanji can be combined to form new meanings: This further emphasizes their pictorial nature. For example, the kanji for "bright" (明) is made up of the kanji for "sun" (日) and the kanji for "moon" (月), suggesting the brightness of both celestial bodies.
However, it's important to note that:
* Not all kanji are easily recognizable: Many kanji have become abstract over time and are no longer easily understood as pictograms.
* Kanji is just one part of the Japanese writing system: Alongside kanji, there are two phonetic syllabaries, hiragana and katakana, which don't have pictorial elements.
* Modern usage often focuses on meaning, not pictorial representation: While the original pictographic nature is interesting, most Japanese speakers today learn kanji by memorizing their meaning and pronunciation, not by directly deciphering their visual components.
In conclusion, while Japanese kanji has a pictorial origin and retains some visual elements, it's not accurate to say that the entire Japanese writing system is pictorial. The modern use of kanji often prioritizes meaning and pronunciation over their original visual representations.