Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 鉛 (lead) originated in ancient China during the Warring States period. It is composed of the metal radical 金 (gold/metal) and the phonetic component 㕣, indicating its metallic nature and pronunciation. In Liushutong, L34761 shows an early form where the metal radical is clearly present, though arranged differently than the modern standardized form. The character originally referred to lead metal, which was one of the earliest metals used in China for making coins, weights, and later for alchemical purposes. Over centuries, the character's structure stabilized into the current form 鉛, maintaining its core meaning as both the metallic element and by extension things made of lead. Arrived in Japan: The character 鉛 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing and technology through Korean scribes and diplomatic missions. It appears in early Japanese texts from the Nara period (710-794 CE), particularly in technical and metallurgical contexts, as Japan developed its own mining and metalworking industries.