This paper describes an online Japanese character recognition system using advanced techniques of pattern normalization and direction feature extraction. The normalization of point coordinates and the decomposition of direction elements are directly performed on online trajectory, and therefore, are computationally efficient. We compare one-dimensional and pseudo two-dimensional (pseudo 2D) normalization methods, as well as direction features from original pattern and from normalized pattern. In experiments on the TUAT HANDS databases, the pseudo 2D normalization methods yielded superior performance, while direction features from original pattern and from normalized pattern made little difference.