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The character 鏡 (mirror) evolved from ancient bronze forms depicting a vessel containing water for reflection, combined with the phonetic component 竟. Early Chinese mirrors were typically made of polished bronze, which influenced the character's development. Over time, the metal radical 金 was added to clarify its association with metal mirrors. The character represents both the physical object and the metaphorical concept of reflection and introspection. Arrived in Japan: The character 鏡 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with other Chinese characters and cultural artifacts, possibly through Korean peninsula intermediaries or direct contact with Chinese envoys. It appears in early Japanese texts like the Kojiki (712 CE) and Manyoshu (8th century), indicating it was well-established in Japan by the Nara period.