Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 去 originally depicted a person leaving a cave or dwelling place. In its earliest oracle bone script form, it showed a human figure (大) above an opening or cavity (凵), representing the concept of departure or leaving. Over time, the character evolved through bronze script and seal script periods, gradually simplifying into its modern form. The core meaning has remained consistent - to go away, leave, or depart. It also carries extended meanings of removing, getting rid of, or past events (as in 'last year' 去年). Arrived in Japan: The character 去 was likely introduced to Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader adoption of Chinese writing systems. It appears in early Japanese texts such as the Manyoshu (8th century) and was incorporated into the Japanese writing system as a kanji character, retaining its core meanings of departure and past events.