Wei Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Mortar (jiù) Kangxi Strokes: 6 Page 1003, Entry 01 Pronounced jiù. Pronounced jiù. Pronounced jiù. Pronounced jiù. The pronunciation is the same as jiù. Shuowen Jiezi says it is a tool for hulling rice. It was originally written as a different form, which was simplified in clerical script to the current form. In ancient times, people dug holes in the ground to serve as mortars, which were later replaced by carved wood or stone. The character shape resembles a mortar, with the middle representing grains of rice. Xu says the four dots in the middle of the character, while incidentally similar to the lower part of the character for container, the upper part of the character for rat, and the ancient form of the character for tooth, are actually different. Shiben states that Yong Fu invented the mortar. Lushi Chunqiu states that Chi Ji created the mortar. I Ching (Yijing), Xici states: Cut wood to make pestles and dig the ground to make mortars. The convenience of the pestle and mortar has benefited the masses. Shen Yue, Zhuonuo Ge says: It is difficult to hull millet, so leave it to the stone mortar. Liu Zongyuan poem says: Waking from a nap at noon, there is no other sound, only the mountain boy pounding a tea mortar behind the bamboo grove. Also the name of a constellation. Shiji, Tianguanshu mentions four stars called Pestle and Mortar, located south of the Wei mansion. The commentary notes that the three stars of the Pestle and Mortar, located next to the Zhangren star, are in charge of military provisions. Also a place name. Zuo Zhuan, 24th year of Duke Xi states: Crossed the Yellow River to besiege Linghu, entered Sangquan, and captured Jiusui. The commentary notes there is a Mortar City southeast of Jie County. Also the name of a river. Zuo Zhuan, 5th year of Duke Ding states: About to cross the Chengjiu River. The commentary notes there is a Mortar Water in Jingling County, Jiangxia, which originates in Qushan and flows southwest into the Han River. Hou Hanshu, Annals of Emperor Zhang states: Stopped water transport on the Changshan, Hutuo, and Shijiu rivers. The commentary notes that Shijiu is the name of a river, located northeast of present-day Tang County, Ding Prefecture. Also a mountain name. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing) mentions Zhongjiu Mountain, which has no vegetation. Also the name of a bird. Duqu Ge says: Kill the crowing rooster and flick away the Wujiu bird. Also a tree name. Gu Xizhou Qu says: At dusk the shrike flies over, and the wind blows through the Chinese tallow tree. Also a surname. Zuo Zhuan mentions a retainer of Hua Ou named Jiu Ren. Also, in Yunbu, the pronunciation is given as chu. Han Yu, Yuanhe Shengde Shi says: Thus it goes upside down on its own, like a pestle thrown into a mortar. It rhymes with the character zhu.