Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 同 originally depicted a container (口) with a lid (凡), representing the idea of 'gathering together' or 'sameness.' In ancient oracle bone script, it showed multiple objects converging into one. Over time, it evolved through bronze script and seal script to its current form. The character carries meanings of 'same,' 'together,' 'similar,' and 'to agree,' reflecting its fundamental concept of unity and commonality. It's used in words like 同じ (same), 共同 (together), and 同意 (agreement). Arrived in Japan: The character 同 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE, primarily through the introduction of Chinese writing systems and Buddhist texts. It was systematically adopted during the Asuka period (538-710 CE) as part of Japan's cultural exchange with China and the Korean peninsula, becoming integrated into the Japanese writing system alongside many other Chinese characters.