Wu Collection, Lower Volume Radical: Grain (hé) Ji Kangxi strokes: 15 Page 857, Entry 19 In ancient scripts. Pronounced ji (falling tone). Shuowen Jiezi says: Offering. The leader of the five grains. Xu says: According to the Materia Medica (Bencao), ji is the same as the broomcorn millet, also known as zi. People in Chu call it ji, while those in Guanzhong call it that; its grain is yellow millet. Tongzhi says: The seedlings and heads of the ji look like reeds, and the grain is edible. Yueling Zhangju says: The ji is planted in autumn and ripens in summer, passing through all four seasons, embodying both yin and yang; it is the most precious of grains. Book of Odes (Shijing): Those seedlings of the ji. Book of Rites (Liji): The ji is called bright zi. Also a name of a deity. Fengsu Tongyi says: Ji is the leader of the five grains. The five grains are numerous and cannot all be sacrificed to, therefore the ji is established to be sacrificed to. Also the title of an agricultural official called Houji. Book of Documents (Shangshu): You, Houji, sow the hundred grains at the proper times. Zuo Zhuan: Caimo said: Ji is the director of agriculture. There was a son of the Lieshan clan named Zhu who served as ji; since the Xia dynasty, he has been sacrificed to. Zhou Qi also served as ji; since the Shang dynasty, he has been sacrificed to. Also meaning to be fast or respectful. Book of Odes (Shijing): Already orderly, already respectful. Commentary: Qi means orderly, ji means respectful. It refers to the solemn and respectful demeanor during sacrificial rituals. Note: Mao Commentary defines ji as fast/respectful. Zheng’s annotation still defines it as the ji of millet. Zhu’s commentary follows Mao’s commentary; it is appropriate to follow Mao’s definition as correct. Also a surname. Shangjin Prefect Ji Si of the Han dynasty. Also a place name. Zuo Zhuan: The Marquis of Jin managed his troops at Ji. Commentary: Ji is a place in the state of Jin. West of Wenxi County in Hedong there is Mount Ji. History of the Former Han (Qianshi Hanshu): Meiji County in Xihe Commandery. Also interchangeable with ze (the setting sun). Guliang Zhuan: On the day of Wuwu, the sun set, then he was able to be buried. Commentary: Ji means ze (the setting sun). The sun setting refers to the time of afternoon. Note: Lishi states that the word used for toil is ji, using the text from Guliang Zhuan regarding the sun setting, similar to the text in Yao Mu and Fei Feng regarding the sun not setting or setting. Jiyun: Sometimes written in a variant form.