Mnemonic
A postman kneels before the lord, who hands him a sealed scroll. 'Deliver this to the eastern border,' the lord commands. 'It is a one-way journey—do not look back.' The postman rises, steps forward, and marches into the horizon without a single glance behind him.
Additional thoughts
Picture the postman walking the radical's leftward strokes as a path, with the lord's seal propelling him forward. One-way journey = no return, only forward motion.Quick recall
The postman obeys the lord's command and sets off on a one-way journey, never looking back.Details
The keyword for 往 is journey. This kanji conveys the idea of going somewhere, traveling forth, or proceeding along a path toward a destination. It carries a sense of forward movement and progression, often implying a one-way trip or departure rather than a round trip. In broader usage, it can also refer to the past, as in times that have "gone by," linking the concept of traveling forward with the passage of time.
- On'yomi
- おう
- Kun'yomi
- い.く、いにしえ、さき.に、ゆ.く