Chen Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Tree (mù) Entry: Ke Kangxi Strokes: 14 Page 545, Entry 12 Pronounced ke According to the Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters (Shuowen), it is a vessel for wine. Xu says: the term ke implies the meaning of he (to cover). He was originally written as he, meaning to cover. In the Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), sixteenth year of Duke Cheng: The emissary held the wine vessel to offer a drink, and presented it to Zizhong. Also, a vessel for storing water. In the Huainanzi: Dripping water is enough to fill a pot or a ke, yet the Yangtze and Yellow rivers cannot fill a leaking goblet. Also, a type of vine. According to the Supplement to the Materia Medica (Bencao Shiyi), the ke vine resembles the akebia (tongcao); its fruit takes three years to ripen, is the size of a chicken egg, and is used for storing medicinal elixirs, remaining unspoiled for years.