Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Stone (shí) 砚 Kangxi Strokes: 12 Page 831, Entry 01 Pronounced yàn Explanation of Names (Shiming): Yan means to grind; it refers to grinding ink to make it smooth and moist. Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen): A smooth stone. Long Commentary (Changjian): Smooth implies sharp; sharp is synonymous with grinding. Four Records of the Study (Wenfang sipu): The Yellow Emperor obtained a piece of jade, fashioned it into an ink-stone, and called it the ink-stone of the Di Hong clan. Inscriptions on the Ink-stone of King Wu of Zhou (Zhou Wuwang yanming): When stone and ink meet, they become black; evil hearts and slanderous words cannot soil the white. Also a surname. Literature of the Yuan Dynasty (Yuan wenlei): The National University Libationer, Yan Mijian. Also, pronounced jiǎn. A stone for moistening. Correct Guide to Characters (Zhengzitong): The Analytical Dictionary of Characters distinguishes between the sounds and meanings of the character for grinding and the character for ink-stone, but today they are commonly combined into one.