#daji

Minor or Extremely Minor

A beautiful consort from the Shang dynasty who rose the ranks, becoming the favorite of King Zhòu. It was said that prior to her becomine a concubine she was killed and replaced by a fox spirit who continued living her life. As queen consort she dried up the funds for the kingdom by spending them on ridiculous things like lavish clothing and, most notably, torture. In the Fengshen Yanyi she is noted for having created several devices, for example the páo luò (炮烙) or paolao, a copper pillar filled with coals that victims would have to walk along. She is sent by the goddess Nüwa along with two sisters, Pipa Jing and Jiutou Zhiji Jing, to destroy King Zhou for inappropriate behavior against her. Eventually she causes the kingdom to crumble by soaking up all of the king's attention from his people. In his desperation the king gathered all of his belongings and burning himself alive in the Deer Terrace Pavilion (鹿臺), a lavish pool built by himself and Dájǐ for pleasure. Dájǐ, depending on the source, is usually killed by Jiang Ziya or Ji Fa, her head being hung on a white flag so that all would know who destroyed the dynasty. Another story from Hokusai, Japan, says that the fox spirit fled to India and became Lady Kayō, then fled back to China becoming Bao Si, finally fleeing to Japan and becoming Tamamo-no-Mae where she was sealed in the Sesshōseki (殺生石) stone, which broke in 2022.

Pantheon: Chinese

Domain or Function: Fox spirit and/or concubine who causes the downfall of the Shang dynasty.

Alternate Names: Da Ji, Su Daji.

Character Traits: Noted for being torturous and insatiable.

Visual Traits: Said to be the most beautiful consort in the kingdom.

Symbolism: Fox spirit.