Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 故 (gù) has an ancient history dating back to oracle bone script. It originally depicted a hand wielding a tool to strike or work on something, combined with the 'old' radical 古, suggesting 'ancient causes' or 'original reasons.' Over time, it evolved through bronze script and seal script forms before standardizing into its modern form. The character carries meanings of 'reason,' 'cause,' 'purpose,' as well as 'ancient,' 'old,' and 'deceased' (as in someone who has passed away). This semantic range reflects the philosophical concept that present circumstances have their origins in past actions or causes. Arrived in Japan: The character 故 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE, primarily through the introduction of Chinese writing systems and Buddhist texts via Korean peninsula. It became established in the Japanese writing system during the Asuka period (538-710 CE) and was incorporated into early Japanese texts like the Kojiki (712 CE) and Manyoshu (8th century), where it was used both for its meaning and in phonetic readings.