Shen Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Clothing (yī) Ru Kangxi strokes: 20 Page 1126, Entry 24 Pronounced ru. From Explaining Graphs (Shuowen): A short garment. From Explaining Names (Shiming): Ru means soft, referring to the warmth and softness it provides. From Commentary on the Urgent Need (Jijiupian zhu): A garment that is short and reaches to the waist is called a ru. From Book of Rites (Liji), section on Inner Rules: One should not wear silk ru or trousers. From Explaining Names (Shiming): A single-layered ru is like a regular ru but without cotton padding. Waist ru are shaped like a ru, but designed to be gathered at the waist with a tapered upper section and an even hem. From Yangzi’s Dialects (Fangyan): A sweat-absorbing ru is called a jia-ru in regions east of the pass, and a sen-ru in the territories of Wei, Song, and Chu. From Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital (Xijing zaji): During the Han dynasty, emperors were buried in pearl-adorned ru and jade caskets. From Rites of Zhou (Zhouli), section on Summer Officials: During the wax sacrifice, one prepares a lu-ru. From Dictionary of Rhymes (Yunhui): Sometimes written in a variant form. From Book of Jin (Jinshu), Biography of Liu Hong: Those on night watch were frail and sick, and had no leather robes or padded hats provided to them.