Illustrated Explanation of Chariot Systems, Volume I

The commentary states that the part which treads upon the groundOriginal: jian di. This refers to the outermost edge of the wheel rim that makes direct contact with the road surface. is not to be lacquered. The portion to be lacquered measures 7 inches and one-third of an inch. The unlacquered portion measures 3 inches and two-thirds of an inch. If we set the felloe thicknessOriginal: ya hou. The measurement of the wooden rim segment from its inner edge to its outer edge. at 1 inch and two-thirds of an inch, then the unlacquered portions on both the inner and outer faces will each measure 1 inch.

In interpreting Master Zheng’sZheng Xuan (127–200 CE), the most prominent Han dynasty commentator, whose work is essential for reconstructing ancient technology from the Rites of Zhou. meaning, it seems he takes the felloe circumference of 1 foot and 1 inch Totaling 11 inches. to represent the combined perimeter of all four sides: the inner and outer faces, the side where the spokes are seatedOriginal: jian fu. The side of the felloe facing the hub where the spokes are inserted., and the side that treads upon the ground.

However, although the thickness of the top and bottom felloe edges and the width of the inner and outer felloe faces are all contained within this total of 1 foot 1 inch, the specific values for width and thickness are not yet determined by that total alone. If we then set the felloe thickness at 1 inch, 6 fenRoughly 1/10th of an inch., 6 li1/100th of an inch., and 6 hao1/1000th of an inch., the two sides [the top and bottom edges] would together equal 3 inches, 3 fen, 3 li, and 3 hao. The remaining 7 inches, 6 fen, 6 li, and 6 hao are divided between the inner and outer faces to determine the felloe width; thus, the felloe width is 3 inches, 8 fen, 6 li, and 6 hao. Furthermore, the edge that treads upon the ground and the 1-inch portion of the felloe face closest to the ground are left unlacquered; this is...