Chou Collection, Middle Volume. Radical: Earth (tǔ). Kangxi brush strokes: 11. Page 231, Entry 10. Pronounced yi (falling tone). According to the Explaining Graphs and Analyzing Characters (Shuowen Jiezi), it refers to the boundaries of cultivated land. A large boundary is called a border (jiang), and a small boundary is called a field edge (yi). In the Book of Odes (Shijing), it is noted that field boundaries are neat and distinct. In the History of the Former Han (Qian Hanshu), it describes how gourds, fruits, and vegetables are planted along the edges of field boundaries. It also refers to a frontier or border. In the Zuo Tradition (Zuozhuan), during the thirteenth year of the reign of Duke Cheng, it records that the people of the State of Zheng were angered by the actions taken at your borders. The character yi is derived from the element yi (change), which is distinct from the character chang (open space).