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The character 放 (fàng) evolved from ancient pictographs showing a combination of 方 (square, direction, method) and 攵/攴 (to strike or tap). Originally, it depicted 'striking to send away' or 'releasing from constraints,' evolving to mean 'to release,' 'to set free,' 'to let go,' or 'to exile.' Over time, its meaning expanded to include 'to put,' 'to place,' and in modern usage, it appears in words like 放心 (set your heart at ease) and 放送 (broadcast). Arrived in Japan: The character 放 likely arrived in Japan during the 5th to 6th centuries CE, as part of the introduction of Chinese writing systems (kanji) through Buddhist texts, official missions, and cultural exchange with China. It was incorporated into the Japanese language as a kanji with the on'yomi reading 'hō' and kun'yomi readings such as 'hana-tsu' or 'hana-su'.