Xu Collection, Upper Volume
Radical: Metal (jīn)
Keng; Kangxi strokes: 19; Page 1319, Entry 32
According to the Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun), the pronunciation is keng. According to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) and the Rhyme Collection (Yunhui), the pronunciation is keng. According to the Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun), the pronunciation is keng.
The Jade Chapters (Yupian) defines it as the sound of metal and stone. The Record of Music (Yueji) in the Book of Rites (Liji) states that the sound of a bell is keng. The Commentary states it refers to the ringing sound of a metal bell. The Treatise on Rites and Music in the History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qianhan Shu) mentions the ability to record the keng-qiang sounds of drums and dances. The commentary notes that keng-qiang refers to the sound of metal and stone. The Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) notes that it is sometimes written as variant forms.
Also, the Rhyme Collection (Yunhui) mentions it as the sound of a zither. The Analects (Lunyu) mentions the playing of the zither, sounding keng.
Also, according to the Extensive Rhymes (Guangyun), it means to strike. The Songs of Chu (Chuci), in the Summoning of the Soul (Zhaohun), mentions striking bells and shaking the rack. The commentary notes that keng means to strike. In the Eastern Capital Rhapsody (Dongdu Fu) by Ban Gu, it mentions striking the whale-shaped bell.
Also, it is used as a personal name. The Songs of Chu (Chuci), in the Heavenly Questions (Tianwen), mentions Peng Keng offering pheasant to the emperor. The commentary notes that Peng Keng is Peng Zu. The Biographies of Immortals (Shenxian Zhuan) states that Peng Zu had the surname Jian and the given name Keng.
Textual Research: In the Treatise on Law in the History of the Former Han Dynasty (Qianhan Shu), it mentions recording the keng-qiang sounds of drums and dances. Note: The cited text is from the Treatise on Rites and Music, not the Treatise on Law. Based on the original text, Treatise on Law has been corrected to Treatise on Rites and Music.