自ら
みずから · mizukara · JLPT N2 · adverb
personally
自 (self) + ら suffix: 自ら = by one's own self, personally
The kanji 自 means self. The suffix ら turns it into an adverb meaning on one's own initiative. Use it for actions a person takes themselves, like 自ら進む (to step forward of one's own accord).
自 — pictograph of a nose
自 originally depicted a human nose, shown frontally with the bridge and nostrils. Ancient Chinese pointed to their own nose to mean 'me,' so 自 shifted to mean 'self' or 'oneself.' A new character 鼻 was later created to carry the original 'nose' meaning.