It should not be confused with the Chinese tributary system. The term "Jimi" was first seen in the annotation of Shiji quoted by Sima Zhen from a book of the Eastern Han dynasty, which implied to a man directing a horse or ox by the use of rein.
In the Shiji's annotation, which Sima Zhen referenced from an Eastern Han dynasty text, "Jimi" was first seen. This term refers to someone managing a horse or ox with reins.