Explore each form from the oldest known stage to today.
The character 自 originally depicted a nose in oracle bone script, with two distinct nostrils visible. This evolved through bronze script where the nostrils became more stylized, eventually simplifying to the modern form. The nose representation is significant because in ancient Chinese culture, people would point to their nose when referring to themselves, which is why 自 came to mean 'self' or 'oneself.' This character also serves as a radical in many related characters like 臭 (smell) and 息 (breath), preserving its nasal origins. Arrived in Japan: The character 自 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE, along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing system through Buddhist texts and cultural exchange with Korea. It was formally systematized in Japan's writing system during the Nara period (710-794 CE) as part of the man'yōgana system before becoming standard in the Japanese kanji repertoire.