The Qifang () or Jifang was an ancient Chinese state that existed during the Late Shang dynasty, and continued existing into the Zhou dynasty.

History The Qifang is identified with the Jiang clan () based on several bronze inscriptions; this surname would become the Jiang surname seen today.

An oracle bone from Geng Ding or Wen Ding's reign mentions a Marquess Lao of the Qifang. Furthermore, the joining of Jia () 2398 and 5877 revealed a Shang ruler preparing troops within Qifang territory.其他来源

The state continued into the Zhou dynasty post-Battle of Muye, though the character declaring its name fluctuated. One bronze gui details King Xuan of Zhou commanding an officer to command various vassal states, including the Qifang, to attack over the Huai River, who would then have said command cast in the bronze.

Identification Controversy exists regarding the identification of this state. An annotated edition of Shuowen Jiezi by Duan Yucai identifies Qi () as Qi, an 11th century B.C. Zhou polity. However, this is commonly rejected. Today, there are two competing theories: One that there are two Qifang states, adding a state of Ji (), and one that there is only one. Regardless, the state's continuation between the Shang and Zhou dynasty is known through the state's name being written with , as well as either on its own.

Li Xueqin writes that the ruler of the state mentioned in oracle bones, such as Heji 36416, could be identified with Jizi, a figure mentioned in the Chinese classics. They also state that the character can be simplified to qi () given the use of the archaic form () in related materials. However, the identification with Jizi is heavily disputed given Jizi's surname was likely zi (), as well as on paleographical grounds.

Location Western Zhou-era bronzes have been unearthed that were dedicated to rulers of Qi, which have been used to inform its historical location. It is helped by the State of Yan having conflicts with the Qifang during this period, driving them away from their territory periodically, which has been used to place the Qifang in Longkou (formerly Huang County), Shandong. Others have proposed Zhucheng, Ju County, and Shouguang.

Legacy The Jiang () surname corresponds with the territory of the Qifang and implies that its nobility intermarried with the Zhou dynasty.

See also Jizi

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