Chou Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Earth (tǔ) Shan Kangxi strokes: 15 Page 238, Entry 32 Guangyun: Pronounced shan (rising tone) Jiyun: Pronounced shan (rising tone) In the Records of the Six Scripts (Liushu gu), it is defined as white pottery clay. According to another source, the Book of Rites (Liji), the Er Ya, and the Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing) write it as e. The common practice of writing it as shan is considered a variant, and it should not be treated as a distinct character.