Japanese sign language alphabet chart

“Sign language is universal across the world” is a very common misunderstanding of sign languages, like spoken languages, sign languages differ by countries and regions.

Japanese Sign Language BASIC SIGNS [Part One] - YouTube

Japanese sign language (JSL) or Nihon Shuwa (手話) is also a language of its own. There is another commonly used “sign language” Taiou Shuwa (manually coded Japanese), is not a unique language. It is signed Japanese, which borrows signs from JSL, however this causes conflicts in grammar from both languages, making Taiou Shuwa harder to understand for Deaf people in certain cases.

It is usually used by people with acquired hearing disabilities, who still use spoken Japanese as part of their communication methods.  

Elements of JSL

Similar to most languages, JSL consists of words (signs) and grammar linking the words together. Most signs originate from actions, appearance of objects, or even kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese) shapes. Some signs also consists o Japanese manual syllabary - Wikiwand KULI