Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 川 depicts a flowing river, with its shape in oracle bone script (甲骨文) resembling the banks on either side and a stream running through the middle. It is a pictograph (象形) that has simplified over time into the modern three-stroke form. Its core meaning is 'river' or 'stream,' and it is used in words related to waterways, such as 河川 (rivers) and 四川 (Sichuan, meaning 'Four Rivers'). Arrived in Japan: The character 川, along with the Chinese writing system, was introduced to Japan around the 5th century AD, likely through cultural exchanges via the Korean Peninsula. It became integrated into the Japanese writing system as a kanji, retaining its meaning and pronunciation.