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[[Image:ChuZhuan.jpg|250px|frame|right|State of Chu<br>([[seal script|small seal script]], [[220 BC]])]]
'''Chu''' (&#26970;) was a kingdom in what is now southern [[China]] during the [[Spring and Autumn]] period (722-481 BCE) and [[Warring States]] (481-212 BCE) period.

It was originally known as '''Jing''' (&#33606;) and then as '''Jingchu''' (&#33606;&#26970;). At the height of its power, the Chu empire occupied vast areas of land, including the present-day provinces of [[Hunan]], [[Hubei]], [[Chongqing]], [[Henan]], and parts of [[Jiangsu]]. The Chu capital was at [[Yingdu]].

==History==
The land of Jing was inhabited by the native '''Chu''' people. The early Chu state was ruled by an aristocracy with close affinity to the [[Zhou]] kings, with its capital at Danyang. Prior to the dissolution of Zhou's power, the territory was transferred by authority of the [[King Cheng of Zhou|Zhoucheng King]] of Eastern Zhou to [[Xiong Yi]].

In its early years, Chu was a successful expansionist and militaristic state. Chu developed a reputation for coercing and absorbing its allies. Chu grew from a small, dependent state into a large empire worthy of contention, even attaining the traditional title of one of "The Five Overlord States of the Spring and Autumn Period" (&#26149;&#31179;&#20116;&#38712;). Chu first consolidated its power by absorbing the lesser states within its immediate vicinity in [[Hubei]]; then, it expanded into the north towards the [[North China Plain]]. The threat from Chu resulted in multiple northern alliances against Chu and its allies; these alliances succesfully kept Chu in check, with its first major victory at the [[Battle of Chengpu]].

The kingdom's power continued even after the end of the [[Spring and Autumn]] period in 481. Chu overran [[Cai]] to the north in [[447 BCE]]. During the Warring States Period, Chu was increasing pressured by Qin to its west. Chu's size and power made it the key state in alliances against Qin. As Qin expanded into Chu territory, Chu was forced to expand southwards and eastwards, absorbing local cultural influences along the way. In [[333 BCE]], Chu and [[Qi (state)|Qi]] partitioned and annexed the coastal state of [[Yue (state)|Yue]].

By the late [[Warring States]] period (ca. late [[300s BCE]]), however, Chu's prominent status had fallen into decay. As a result of several invasions headed by [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]] and [[Qin (state)|Qin]], Chu was eventually subjugated by Qin. 

In 278 BCE, [[Qin (state)|Qin]] general Bai Qi marched on the capital [[Yingdu]], threatening to invade. Following the fall of Yingdu, [[Shouchun]] (modern [[Shou]] in today's [[Anhui]] province) became the state's capital-in-exile. 

==Culture==
[[Image:ChuJin.jpg|250px|frame|left|State of Chu<br>([[bronzeware script]], ca. [[800 BC]])]]

Based on archaeological finds, Chu's culture was initially quite similar to that of other Zhou states. Later on, Chu culture absorbed indigenous elements as the state expanded to the south and east, developing a distinct culture from the traditional Northern Zhou states.

Early Chu burial offerings consisted primarily of bronze vessels in the Zhou style. Later Chu burials, especially during the Warring States Period, featured distinct Chu burial objects, such as colorful [[lacquer]]ware, [[iron]] and [[silk]], accompanied by a reduction in bronze vessel offerings.

A common Chu [[motif]] was the depiction of snakes, dragons and serpent-like beings. Some archaeologists speculate that Chu may have had cultural connections to the vanished [[Shang dynasty]], since many motifs used by Chu appeared earlier at Shang sites, such as motifs depicting serpent-tailed gods.

Later Chu culture was known for its affinity for employing [[shaman]]istic rituals. Chu was also known for its distinct music; archaeological evidence shows that Chu music was annotated differently from Zhou music; Chu music also showed an inclination for using different performance ensembles, as well as unique instruments.

Chu came into frequent contact with other people in the south, most notably the [[Ba (state)|Ba]], [[Yue (state)|Yue]] and the [[Yue (peoples)|Hundred Yue]]. Numerous burials and burial objects in the Ba and Yue styles were discovered throughout the territory of Chu, co-existing with Chu-style burials and burial objects.

The early rulers of the [[Han dynasty]] romanticized the culture of Chu, sparking a renewed interest in Chu cultural elements such as the [[Chu Ci]]. After the Han dynasty, Chu developed a undeserved reputation for being a barbarian state; [[Confucian]] scholars considered Chu culture with distaste, criticizing the "lewd" music and [[shaman]]istic rituals associated with Chu culture.

==Famous people==
Famed poet [[Qu Yuan]] hailed from [[Chu]]. A government minister and a patriot, he had advocated uniting with the other states to combat the rising hegemon [[Qin (state)|Qin]], yet to no avail; he was banished by the king of Chu. According to tradition, such was his grief upon learning of the [[Qin (state)|Qin]] invasion, reportedly committed suicide.

==See also==
* ''[[Chu Ci]]''
* [[King Zhuang of Chu]]
* [[Song Yu]]
* [[Wu Qi]]
* [[Mawangdui]]
* [[Tomb of Zeng Hou Yi]]
* [[Chu silk manuscripts]]

==References==
* ''Defining Chu: Image And Reality In Ancient China'', Edited by Constance A. Cook and John S. Major, ISBN 0824829050
* So, Jenny F., ''Music in the Age of Confucius'', ISBN 0295979534

[[Category:Ancient Chinese states]]

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====References====
* Adapted from the [[Wikipedia]] article, "Chu_(state)" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_(state), used under the [[GNU Free Documentation License]]