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In the past, a very frequent question someone might ask the official was: “Which Jiaoyi are you in? ”The question is meant to clarify the man’s exact position in the leadership of his institution. In the eyes of most people, Jiaoyi is synonymous to power.

But what is a Jiaoyi The word refers to a folding chair in use in ancient China. Being collapsible, the Jiaoyi came in handy for those going outdoors. The predecessor of Jiaoyi was the folding stools of the northern Huns. Images of such stools can be seen in the frescos in the Mogao Grottoes in Gansu Province today.

People will see the Jiaoyi in some museums mainly translated as the folded chair with armrest. And this type of armchair with a round back belongs to the highest grade of Jiaoyi and was for the exclusive use of members of the imperial family.