Wu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Field (tián) Entry: Yu Kangxi stroke count: 7 Page 763, Entry 14 Ancient form. Pronounced yu. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to land cultivated for three years. Book of Changes (Yijing): Do not plow, yet reap; do not clear, yet cultivate. Book of Odes (Shijing): How to manage new cultivated land. Commentary: One-year-old land is called zai, two-year-old land is called xin tian, and three-year-old land is called yu. Record of Rites (Liji), in the citation of the Book of Changes regarding not clearing or cultivating, the Zheng commentary states: Land cultivated for one year is called zai, two years is called yu, and three years is called xin. Exegesis of the Book of Odes (Shigu): One year is zai, when the grass is first turned. Two years is yu, when the soil becomes gradually soft and pliable. Three years is xin tian, meaning it has become a field but is still new. Four years is simply called tian. If two years were called xin tian, then three years would already be called tian, so why would it be called yu? Correct Meaning Guide (Zhengzitong): Based on this, the commentaries on the Book of Odes, the Er Ya, and the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters which state that three years is yu are not reliable. One should follow the Zheng commentary. Also, Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced yu. It means to cultivate land. Sometimes written in a variant form (shu). Also: Pronounced she. It means to plant by fire.