Hai Collection, Middle Volume Radical: Fish (yú) Entry: jiao Kangxi strokes: 17 Page 1469, Entry 22 Pronounced jiao. According to the Shuowen Jiezi (Shuowen), it is a sea fish whose skin can be used to decorate sword hilts. Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shanhaijing) states: The Zhang River flows southeast and empties into the Sui River; within it are many jiao fish. Their skin can be used to decorate sword hilts. The commentary notes: The jiao is a type of fù fish. Its skin has pearl-like markings and is tough; its tail is three or four feet long and possesses a venomous barb at the end that can sting people. Accounts of Strange Phenomena (Shuyiji) claims: When a fish-tiger grows old, it transforms into a jiao fish. The Tongya states: The jiao is the largest of the sea shark species. Ben Cao (Compendium of Materia Medica) states: Chen Cangqi says the jiao fish comes from the Southern Sea. It resembles a soft-shelled turtle, lacking feet but possessing a tail. It is also known as the sand-fish and the fu-fish. Li Shizhen says: It was originally written as a different character and later corrupted to jiao. The jiao reaches over ten feet in length and has two holes in its abdomen to store water for raising its young. One abdomen can hold three or four young, which emerge from the mouth in the morning and return to the mother's abdomen at dusk. Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), Book of Rites (Liji), mentions jiao-leather horse trappings. The commentary by Xu Guang says: Jiao fish skin can be used to decorate clothing and implements. Book of the Later Han (Hou Hanshu), Treatise on Carriages and Clothing, mentions that all used white pearls and jiao skin for mouth decorations. Xunzi, Essay on Military Affairs, mentions: The people of Chu used jiao leather, rhinoceros, and wild buffalo hide to make armor. The commentary explains: This refers to using jiao fish skin, rhinoceros hide, and wild buffalo hide to create armor. Also a title of an official. Zuo Zhuan (Zuozhuan), twentieth year of Duke Zhao, mentions: The reed marshes of the lake were guarded by the boat-jiao. The commentary explains: Boat-jiao is an official title. The sub-commentary adds: Jiao is the name of a large fish; because the marshes have water and fish, the title boat-jiao was established. Also refers to the jiao people. Zuo Si, Rhapsody on the Capital of Wu (Wudu Fu), mentions: Seeking the divine spirit-creature from the jiao people. The commentary states: The jiao people live in the water. Accounts of Strange Phenomena (Shuyiji) states: The jiao people live in water like fish, yet they do not abandon their weaving machines; when their eyes weep, they produce pearls.