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The character 撃 (attack, strike) evolved from ancient forms depicting a hand holding a weapon or tool striking something. In the Liushutong, the character shows the radical 手 (hand) combined with elements representing forceful action. The modern form 撃 maintains this concept of striking or hitting, with the top component derived from ancient representations of a chariot or vehicle being attacked. Over time, the character simplified while retaining its core meaning of assault, beat, or attack, used in words like 撃退 (repulse) and 攻撃 (attack). Arrived in Japan: The character 撃 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE as part of the broader introduction of Chinese writing systems to Japan through Buddhist texts, Confucian classics, and other Chinese literary works. It became incorporated into the Japanese writing system as a kanji character, used in both Sino-Japanese readings (geki) and native Japanese readings (such as utsu).