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The character 幻 (gen/maboroshi) originally depicted something mysterious and illusory. In ancient oracle bone script, it may have represented the concept of 'illusion' or 'phantom.' The character evolved through bronze script to clerical script, eventually settling into its current form. It carries meanings of fantasy, illusion, and something unreal or deceptive. In Chinese philosophy, it sometimes references the illusory nature of reality, while in Buddhism it conveys the concept of maya - the world as illusory appearance. Arrived in Japan: The character 幻 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE along with the broader introduction of Chinese writing system (kanji) through Buddhist texts and Chinese classics. It appears in early Japanese literature including the Manyoshu poetry collection (8th century) and was incorporated into the Japanese writing system during the Asuka and Nara periods.