Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 姿 (posture, figure) evolved from ancient forms depicting a woman (女) with a specific hairstyle or head ornament. In Liushutong, L30142 shows a clearer connection to the modern form, combining the 'woman' radical with elements suggesting appearance or form. The character came to represent not just physical appearance but one's demeanor, grace, and the way one carries oneself - the elegant posture of a woman. Arrived in Japan: The character 姿 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing systems, possibly through Buddhist texts and cultural exchanges during the Asuka period when Japan systematically adopted Chinese characters (kanji).