Qidiao Kai

Qidiao Kai (; born 540 BC), courtesy name Zikai or Ziruo , was a major disciple of Confucius. He declined to take government office, but started his own school, which developed into one of the eight branches of Confucianism identified by Han Fei. His work, known as the Qidiaozi ("Master Qidiao"), has been lost.

Life Qidiao Kai was born in 540 BC, 11 years younger than Confucius. He was a native of the State of Cai. His original name was Qidiao Qi (漆雕啟), but the given name "Qi" was changed to the synonym "Kai" in Han dynasty texts because of the naming taboo of Liu Qi, Emperor Jing of Han. Two other members of his clan, Qidiao Chi (漆雕哆) and Qidiao Tufu (漆雕徒父), were also disciples of Confucius.