Wei Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Bamboo (zhú) Kangxi stroke count: 8 Page 877, Entry 02 Pronounced zhu. Guangyun (Dictionary of Broad Rimes), Jiyun (Collected Rimes), and Yunhui (Collection of Rimes) all record the sound as zhou (falling-rising tone); Zheng-Yun (Orthographic Rimes) records the sound as zhi (falling-rising tone). The pronunciation is the same as the word for bamboo. Guangya (Expanded Classical Definitions) states that zhu refers to bamboo. Its outer layer is called gou. It also refers to Tianzhu, a country name. History of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), Record of the Western Regions: The country of Tianzhu, also known as Shendu, is located several thousand li to the southeast of the Yuezhi. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing) mentions a country named Chaoxian Tiandu. Guo Pu’s commentary states that it is the country of Tianzhu. Kuodizhi (Comprehensive Geography) states that the country of Tianzhu is comprised of five regions: East, West, South, North, and Central. Tongzhilue (Compendium of Historical Records) states that Tianzhu is also known as Juandu. It is also a surname. History of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), Biography of Dou Rong: The Jiuquan Commandant Zhu Zeng. It is also a place name. Fujian Gazetteer: Mount Shizhu in Fuqing County, where there is an abundance of bamboo but few bamboo shoots. Also, according to Guangyun (Dictionary of Broad Rimes), pronounced du; Jiyun (Collected Rimes) and Zheng-Yun (Orthographic Rimes) record the pronunciation as du. The sound is the same as the word for sincere or thick. Erya (Approaching Elegance), Commentary on Instructions: Zhu means thick or sincere. The commentary notes it is the same as du. Songs of Chu (Chu Ci), Heavenly Questions: Houji was the eldest son; why did the Heavenly Emperor treat him with such thickness? The commentary states it means thick. Some versions are written as du. Also, according to Guangyun (Dictionary of Broad Rimes), pronounced zhuo. The meaning is the same. Jiyun (Collected Rimes) notes some versions are written as zhu, and others are written in a variant form.