Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Stone (shí) 礎 Kangxi Stroke Count: 18 Page 837, Entry 01 Pronounced chǔ. The stone beneath a pillar. Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen) states: This is a pillar base (zhì). Zhengzitong states: Chu and zhi are different names for the same thing; they are identical as the foundation stone for a pillar, with no distinction in meaning.