Okay, so I've finally decided to get off my lazy Shinto ass and start learning how to speak and write Japanese properly. My plan is this:

1.) Learn Hiragana (underway)
2.) Learn Kanji
3.) Learn the methods and rituals behind writing sutras and seals
4.) Make my first sutra.

But before I can move on to Kanji, I need to learn japanese vocabulary, beginning with the basics. Any tips on how to go about that? Should I just buy a Japanese-English dictionary? Anyone willing to help this linguist to learn the native tongue of his religion?

...Pretty please? :(
Okay, so I've finally decided to get off my lazy Shinto *** and start learning how to speak and write Japanese properly. My plan is this:

1.) Learn Hiragana (underway)
2.) Learn Kanji
3.) Learn the methods and rituals behind writing sutras and seals
4.) Make my first sutra.

But before I can move on to Kanji, I need to learn japanese vocabulary, beginning with the basics. Any tips on how to go about that? Should I just buy a Japanese-English dictionary? Anyone willing to help this linguist to learn the native tongue of his religion?

...Pretty please? :(

P.S. I was told that katakana were only used in special cases, such as foreign words, so they wouldn't really be as important to what I'm learning japanese for. Thank you, though. ^^

Start with these phrases:
1. Take it all off.
2. There is a cow in the dishwasher.
3. The natives are restless.
4. Please remove your dog from my leg.

You'll be off to a good start.

I lived in Japan for a year and STILL can barely speak it, but this is what helped me..
first of all, learn Katakana after you learn Hiragana. You probably already know this, but it's what the Japanese use to write foreign words and can be really useful. And it's a lot easier than kanji.
As for learning vocabulary, I bought one of those little electronic dictionaries but this didn't seem to help me much. The best things I ever had while learning were various workbooks and worksheets. You should be able to find these online. That way you can go slowly (learn the body parts, then the colors, then the adjectives, etc.) and have a way to review. Oh, and make flashcards! It's the hardest language I've ever tried my hand at, good luck!

http://www.languageguide.org/
http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/
http://www.google.com/translate_t

you didn't say you're planning to learn katakana?
you think kanji is easy, but no it's not......and a dictionary CAN'T help you!! my advice is take japanese lessons or search japanese free online.............if that doesn't help you.....................go to japan!! find native speakers that know english..............

get a dictionary