The kanji 史 generally means "history," "record," or "scribe." It encompasses the idea of documenting past events, keeping track of events, and those involved in the recording of history. It is linked to the concepts of time, past events, and historical accounts.

・On-yomi (音読み): シ (shi) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): None, or very rare.

⚫︎ 歴史 (れきし) Translation: history ⚫︎ 史学 (しがく) Translation: historical studies ⚫︎ 史料 (しりょう) Translation: historical materials; documents; records

The kanji 史 is considered a pictographic-ideographic character. The original form depicted a hand (又 or 卩) holding a writing brush (中 or 聿), and a mouth (口). It originally depicted the role of a "scribe" or someone who records and keeps records of the king's words or important events. Over time, the form simplified. The mouth represents speaking or recording and the hand with the brush emphasizes the act of writing and recording. The meaning developed to encompass historical records and history itself.