Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 那 has an interesting evolution. In ancient oracle bone and bronze inscriptions, it originally depicted a person with a tattoo on their face or body, representing the concept of 'many' or 'numerous' through multiple markings. Over time, it evolved into its current form and took on additional meanings including 'that,' 'those,' and as a interrogative particle. The character combines 冄 (which originally represented tattoos or markings) with 阝 (the town radical), possibly indicating a place where such practices were common. In modern usage, it serves as a demonstrative pronoun and is also used in transliterations. Arrived in Japan: The character 那 arrived in Japan during the Yayoi period (300 BCE - 300 CE) through cultural exchange with China, likely as part of the introduction of Chinese writing systems. It was formally incorporated into Japanese writing during the Asuka period (538-710 CE) when Japan systematically adopted Chinese characters (kanji) along with Buddhism and other aspects of Chinese culture.