Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) 鏝 Kangxi strokes: 19 Page 1320, Entry 05 Pronounced man According to the Explanations of Characters (Shuowen), it is an iron trowel. It is synonymous with the character for trowel (mu). According to the Broad Rhymes (Guangyun), it is a plastering trowel. According to the Literary Expositor (Erya), in the chapter interpreting palaces, a trowel is called a plastering tool. The commentary notes it is a tool for plastering mud. The sub-commentary clarifies that this tool is used by craftsmen to apply plaster and mud. Also written in a variant form (man). According to the Mencius (Mengzi), to destroy roof tiles and scribble on a freshly plastered wall. According to Yangzi’s Regional Dialects (Fangyan), in the regions between Eastern Qi, Qin, and Jin, a large halberd is referred to as a manhu. The commentary notes this is what is now referred to as a rooster-crow hook. Pronounced man (falling tone) Also synonymous with the character for plastering (man). Also refers to a plastering knife, a tool used by craftsmen.