Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 据 evolved from ancient forms depicting a hand (扌) acting upon an object with firmness or stability. In Liushutong, L20419 shows an early variant where the right component resembles a seated figure or foundation, emphasizing the concept of 'setting firmly' or 'basing upon.' Over time, the phonetic component 居 (jū, meaning 'to reside') was incorporated, reinforcing the idea of fixing something in place. The character's core meanings—'to rely on,' 'according to,' or 'to set firmly'—reflect this fusion of action (hand) and stability (residence). Arrived in Japan: The character 据 likely arrived in Japan during the Yayoi or Kofun period (c. 300–710 CE) alongside the introduction of Chinese writing systems, possibly through Buddhist texts or official documents. It was standardized in Japanese kanji usage by the Heian period (794–1185 CE).