歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)く

れきしをひもとく
expression
to look back at history; to delve into history; to explore the past
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)く歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)かない
Present polite歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)きます歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)きません
Past歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いた歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)かなかった
Past polite歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)きました歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)きませんでした
て form歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いて歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)かなくて
ている present歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いている歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いていない
ている polite歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いています歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いていません
ている past歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いていた歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いていなかった
ている past polite歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いていました歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いていませんでした
Conditional ば歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)けば歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)かなければ
Conditional たら歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いたら歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)かなかったら
Volitional歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)こう—
Volitional polite歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)きましょう—
Potential歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)ける歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)けない
Passive歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)かれる歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)かれない
Causative歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)かせる歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)かせない
Imperative歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)け歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)くな
1. to examine the background of a subject by tracing it through history; to delve into or explore history
A literary, somewhat formal phrase meaning to investigate or narrate the historical background of a person, place, institution, or subject. Literally "to unbind (the cords of) history." The verb 紐解(ひもと)く comes from the old practice of untying the silk cord that held an ancient scroll or book shut in order to read it; the phrase therefore evokes the image of opening up history to examine it closely. Common in magazine articles, documentaries, book titles, and guided tours.
歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)く。
To delve into history.
日本(にほん)の茶道(さどう)の歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いてみよう。
Let's delve into the history of the Japanese tea ceremony.
この街(まち)の歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いていくと、意外(いがい)な事実(じじつ)が次々(つぎつぎ)と見(み)えてきた。
As we delved into the history of this town, one surprising fact after another came to light.
番組(ばんぐみ)の冒頭(ぼうとう)で、ナレーターは日本(にほん)の自動車(じどうしゃ)産業(さんぎょう)の歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)き始(はじ)めた。
At the start of the program, the narrator began tracing the history of Japan's automobile industry.

Literally "to untie (the cord of) history." Composed of 歴史(れきし) (history) + を (object marker) + 紐解(ひもと)く (to unbind, to open a scroll, to read). The verb 紐解(ひもと)く is an older, literary verb originally meaning "to untie the silk cord of a book or scroll in order to open and read it." From this came the modern figurative meaning "to investigate or explore in depth."

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)く: to trace / explore history
  • 歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)くと: as one looks back through history, ...
  • 歴史(れきし)を紐解(ひもと)いてみる: to try delving into history
  • 記録(きろく)を紐解(ひもと)く: to go through the records
  • 過去(かこ)を紐解(ひもと)く: to delve into the past

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 歴史(れきし)を振(ふ)り返(かえ)る: to look back on history — a close synonym, plainer and more neutral in tone.
  • 歴史(れきし)を辿(たど)る: to trace the course of history — emphasizes following the chain of events.
  • 歴史(れきし)を掘(ほ)り下(さ)げる: to dig deeper into history — emphasizes thorough, analytical investigation.
  • 歴史(れきし)を遡(さかのぼ)る: to go back up through history — emphasizes moving from the present toward the past.

USAGE AND REGISTER:

Literary and somewhat formal. Particularly common in:

  • Newspaper and magazine essays
  • TV documentaries and their narration
  • Museum exhibition texts and audio guides
  • Book titles, lecture titles, and travel-guide headings

In casual conversation, speakers more often say 歴史(れきし)を見(み)ていく ("let's look at the history") or 歴史(れきし)を調(しら)べる ("to look into the history"). The verb 紐解(ひもと)く gives the phrase a cultured, slightly elegant flavor.

NOTE ON THE VERB FORM:
紐解(ひもと)く is also written 繙(ひもと)く with the single kanji 繙(ひもと) in literary contexts. Either form is correct; 紐解(ひもと)く is more common in modern writing.

general
Added 2026.4.12 6:34
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