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The character 賄 evolved from ancient forms depicting 'shell' (貝) and 'to have' (有), combining to represent the concept of 'bribery' or 'property'. In ancient China, shells were used as currency, so the 貝 component indicates financial matters, while 有 means 'to possess'. Together they originally meant 'property' or 'wealth', later developing the meaning of 'to bribe' - using wealth to influence others. The character appears in classical texts like the Book of Rites with meanings related to property management and financial dealings. Arrived in Japan: The character 賄 arrived in Japan during the Yayoi period (300 BCE - 300 CE) or early Kofun period (300-538 CE) through cultural exchange with China and Korea, likely as part of the introduction of Chinese writing systems. It was formally incorporated into the Japanese writing system during the systematic adoption of Chinese characters that began in the 5th century CE.