Chen Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Tree (mù) Dou Kangxi stroke count: 8 Page 515, Entry 13 Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Compendium (Yunhui), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun) state the pronunciation is zhu. Explaining Characters and Phrases (Shuowen Jiezi) defines it as a ladle. Xu Kai states: It has a handle and is shaped like the Big Dipper constellation; it is used to ladle out wine or water. The Lesser Sacrificial Rites (Shaolao Kuishili) records: The palace steward places a lei-vessel for water east of the washing area, accompanied by a dou-ladle. Commentary note: The lei-vessel holds water, and the dou-ladle is used to scoop the water to pour over the hands for washing; it is a water-holding vessel. Book of Rites (Liji), Record of Funeral Rites (Sangdaji) records: Use a basin for bathing and a dou-ladle to pour the water. Commentary note: This means using a dou-ladle to scoop water from a basin to pour over and wash the body. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Search for Meanings (Suoyin) states: Everything square is called a dou; if it is fitted with a long handle, it is called a dou, pronounced zhu. Tang Rhymes (Tangyun), Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Compendium (Yunhui), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun) also state the pronunciation is dou. It refers to a gongdou, which is a square wooden block atop a pillar. Textual research: The original text of the Ceremonial Rites (Yili), Feasting Rites (Kuishili) reads: The palace steward sets a lei-vessel for water east of the washing area, having a dou-ladle. Careful note: If the two characters for Lesser Sacrificial (Shaolao) are absent, it cannot be distinguished from the Special Animal Sacrificial Rites (Tesheng Kuishili). Following the original text, the reference to Ceremonial Rites (Yili) has been changed to Lesser Sacrificial Rites (Shaolao), and the character for official (guan) has been corrected to palace (gong).