Chou Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Mouth (kǒu) Character: Throat Kangxi strokes: 19 Page 213, Entry 23 Pronounced long. As defined in the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to the throat. In the sub-entry on birds in the Literary Expositor (Erya), it is stated that the kang refers to a bird throat. The commentary explains this as the throat. In the Five Elements Treatise of the History of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), a children's rhyme states: Officials buy horses, lords buy carriages, please play the throat and beard for all you lords.