白状
はくじょう · hakujou · JLPT N1 · noun
confession
白 = white/clear + 状 = statement: confess = a clear statement that makes you clean
白 means white or clear, and 状 means a statement or document. A confession is a clear statement that leaves nothing dark or hidden on the record.
白 — pictograph; resembles 日 (sun) with a stroke on top
白 is generally considered a pictograph, traditionally explained as depicting the sun rising with a ray of light above it, hence the meaning 'white' or 'bright.' Some scholars instead see it as a drawing of a thumbnail or an acorn. From 'bright' it extended to 'clear,' 'plain,' and 'to state plainly.'