Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 至 depicts an arrow (矢) hitting a target, representing the concept of 'arrival' or 'reaching a point.' In its earliest oracle bone script form, it showed an arrow pointing downward toward a horizontal line, symbolizing something reaching its destination. Over time, this evolved through bronze script into the modern form. The character carries meanings of extremity, utmost, and completion - from physically arriving at a place to conceptually reaching the highest degree. It's used in words like 至少 (at least), 至于 (as for), and 甚至 (even to the extent that), maintaining its core sense of attainment and limit. Arrived in Japan: The character 至 was introduced to Japan as part of the Chinese writing system, likely during the 5th-6th centuries CE when Chinese characters and Buddhist texts were systematically imported by Korean scholars and Japanese envoys to China. It became established in Japan during the Asuka period (538-710 CE) as part of the comprehensive adoption of Chinese characters (kanji) for writing Japanese.