kyūjitai

Kyūjitai () are the traditional forms of kanji (Chinese written characters used in Japanese writing). Their simplified counterparts are shinjitai (). Some of the simplified characters arose centuries ago and were in everyday use in both China and Japan, but they were considered inelegant, even uncouth. After World War II, simplified character forms were made official separately in Japan and mainland China, with Japan adopting fewer and less drastic changes. For example, () remains unchanged, whereas it was simplified to () on the mainland.

Prior to the promulgation of the tōyō kanji list in 1946, kyūjitai were known as seiji () or seijitai (). Even after kyūjitai were officially marked for discontinuation with the promulgation of the tōyō kanji list, they were used in print frequently into the 1950s due to logistical delays in changing over typesetting equipment. Kyūjitai continue in use to the present day because when the Japanese government adopted the simplified forms, it did not ban the traditional forms. Thus, traditional forms are used when an author wishes to use them and the publisher agrees.