楚国

Chu grew from the middle Yangtze, today's Hubei and Hunan, into the largest of the Warring States. Its kings, of the 芈 clan, ruled from 郢, and its culture of shamanic songs, lacquerware and silk set it apart from the northern states. Its poetry survives in the 《楚辞》, led by 屈原. Qin conquered it in 223 BC.

In this sense 楚 alone also means Chu, and it still labels the Hubei-Hunan region, as in 楚菜 (Hubei cuisine). The chengyu 四面楚歌 'Chu songs on all four sides', from Xiang Yu's last stand, means being surrounded by enemies.