Shen Collection, Upper Volume Radical: Grass (cǎo) Jiu Kangxi stroke count: 8 Page 1017, Entry 07 Pronounced qiu. According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to a remote wilderness. In the Book of Odes (Shijing): I campaigned toward the west, reaching the wild outskirts. It also refers to an animal bedding. In the Huainanzi: Wild pigs make bedding with grasses and interwoven branches, creating dens that resemble palace chambers. Also pronounced jiao. Qin jiao, a medicinal name. According to the Materia Medica (Bencao), it originates from the Qin region; those with roots forming interlaced, twisted patterns are considered the best, hence the name. Also pronounced jiu. The character is sometimes written with the component jiu. See the specific character note for details.