Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Stone (shí) 砚 Kangxi stroke count: 12 Page 831, Entry 08 Pronounced yan (falling tone). Interpretation of Names (Shiming): Yan means to grind; it is to grind ink to make it smooth and moist. Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen): A stone that is smooth. Long Commentary (Changjian): Smooth signifies sharp; sharp is akin to to hone; it shares the same meaning as grinding and rubbing. Four Records of the Studio (Wenfang Sipu): The Yellow Emperor obtained a knob of jade and fashioned it into an ink seal; it was called the inkstone of the Di Hong clan. Inscriptions on the Inkstone of King Wu of Zhou (Zhou Wuwang Yanming): Stone and ink adhere together to produce black; let no evil heart or slanderous speech pollute the purity. Also a surname. Literary Anthology of the Yuan (Yuanwenlei): Yan Mijian, a Libationer of the Imperial Academy. Also, pronounced jian (third tone). A stone for moistening. Standard Dictionary of Characters (Zhengzitong): In the Analytical Dictionary of Characters (Shuowen), the sounds and meanings of the characters for grind and inkstone are separated, but in modern common usage, they have been combined into one.