Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 求 originally depicted a fur garment with hair on both sides, representing animal pelts used for warmth and protection. In ancient times, such pelts were valuable commodities that people actively sought after. This concrete meaning of 'seeking pelts' gradually evolved into the abstract concept of 'seeking' or 'requesting.' The character underwent significant simplification over time, with the modern form 求 retaining only the essential structure while losing the detailed depiction of fur. Arrived in Japan: The character 求 arrived in Japan during the early cultural exchanges with China, likely between the 5th and 7th centuries CE, as part of the introduction of Chinese writing and literature. It was incorporated into the Japanese writing system and appears in early Japanese texts such as the Manyoshu poetry collection from the 8th century.