Where does “字形” come from?

字形 (Japanese) comes from Japanese 字, from Middle Chinese 字 — letter, symbol, character; character.

字形 (Japanese): the form or shape of a character that concerns only minor differences, such as how certain strokes or stroke combinations are drawn, reflecting calligraphic or regional differences; compare 字体

Definitions

the form or shape of a character that concerns only minor differences, such as how certain strokes or stroke combinations are drawn, reflecting calligraphic or regional differences; compare 字体

Ancestry of “字形”, step by step

字形 traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via Japanese 字

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Japanese	字	letter, character; handwriting, penmanship; a...
2	Middle Chinese	字	letter, symbol, character; character

via Japanese 形

Step	Language	Word	Meaning
1	Japanese	形	a shape; a form; a pattern, die, or model from...
2	Middle Chinese	形	—

Every word from Middle Chinese 字 →Every word from Japanese 字 →