Chou Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Woman (nǚ) Ji Kangxi stroke count: 9 Page 260, Entry 23 Ancient texts record: According to the Tang Rhyme (Tangyun), the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun), and the Rhyme Compilation (Yunhui), it is pronounced ji. It shares the same pronunciation as the word for foundation. The Explanation of Simple and Compound Characters (Shuowen Jiezi) records: The Yellow Emperor resided by the Ji River, and therefore took Ji as his surname; the people of the Zhou dynasty inherited this surname. The Zuo Commentary (Zuo Zhuan), Year 28 of Duke Zhao, records: King Wu of Zhou conquered the Shang dynasty and possessed the world; there were fifteen fiefdoms granted to brothers of the same surname, and forty fiefdoms granted to those with the surname Ji. Also, according to the Extended Rhymes (Guangyun) it is pronounced yi, and according to the Collected Rhymes (Jiyun) it is pronounced yi. It is a complimentary term for a woman. One theory suggests it is another name for a queen. Another theory suggests it is a collective term for concubines. According to Shigut, Ji was originally a surname of the Zhou dynasty, and because women of the Zhou were considered more noble than those of other feudal states, the term came to be used as a complimentary title for women. According to Liu Anshi, during the Zhenghe era, officials lacking in learning referred to princesses as Zongji. Since Ji was the surname of the Zhou dynasty, it was already ridiculous to use it as a title for concubines in the early Han dynasty, and to now use a title for concubines to address one's own daughter is even more inappropriate. Also pronounced jiu. The pronunciation and meaning are the same as the word for reside. The Liezi, Yellow Emperor chapter, records: Ji will tell you. The commentary notes that the character Ji should be read as the word for reside. Verification: The Zuo Commentary, Year 27 of Duke Zhao, records that King Wu conquered Shang and illuminated the world. We have carefully corrected the text from Year 27 to Year 28.