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The character 貫 (guàn) originally depicted a string of cowrie shells used as currency in ancient China. The character consists of 毌 (guàn), representing a string piercing through objects, and 貝 (shell/money). Its core meaning evolved from 'stringing coins' to 'penetrating through' and 'consistency.' In ancient times, 1000 coins made one '貫' of cash, making it both a monetary unit and a verb meaning 'to pierce' or 'to pass through.' The character embodies the concept of continuity and thoroughness, as seen in words like 貫通 (penetration) and 一貫 (consistency). Arrived in Japan: The character 貫 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE, introduced alongside the Chinese writing system through Buddhist scriptures, Confucian classics, and cultural exchange with the Korean peninsula. It was formally adopted into the Japanese writing system during the Asuka period (538-710 CE) and appears in early Japanese texts like the Kojiki (712 CE) and Manyoshu (8th century).