Xu Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Metal (jīn) Character: Tan Kangxi Strokes: 16 Page 1310, Entry 21 Tang Rhymes (Tangyun) and Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced tan. Shuowen Jiezi: Defined as a long spear. Exemplar of Dialects (Fangyan) by Yang Xiong (Yangzi): Records that tan is also known as pi. Also, Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced tan. Also, pronounced jian. The meaning is the same. Also, Collected Rhymes (Jiyun): Pronounced xian. Means sharp. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Annals of Qin Shi Huang: Records, is it not sharper than the long halberds of the Bi and Ju states. Commentary: In some versions, tan is written as xian. Also, Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), Rhyme Compilation (Yunhui), and Correct Rhymes (Zhengyun): Pronounced yan. Means a sharp blade. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Biography of Su Qin: Records, sharp spears are at the rear. Commentary: Tan is pronounced yan.