I came across this site as I was browsing the Language Section on JapanForum.com.

The first lesson was about “Structure of Kanji 「漢字のなりたち」”.

It’s all in Japanese, so I will try to slowly translate.

甲骨文字　「こうこつもじ」 Koukotsu Moji

 - is an ancient inscription of Chinese Characters on turtle shells or animal ( oracle ) bones.

The oldest characters as of today is the “甲骨文字”. These are characters carved on turtle shells or on animal bones. Can you guess what its purpose?

Fortune Telling. Not to get a fortune telling per se but to record the result of fortune telling. Most of these are important matters concerning the states. It was believed that God’s word will appear on the crevices by burning the turtle shell or the animal bones.

To see the sample writing on a turtle shell : here

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