There have been various theories on the origin of Ju since Koseki (Hu Shih) wrote in his research paper 'The Explanation of Thought of Confucianists' (1924), that they were 'men of the people remaining from Yin who taught courtesy,' but in recent years, it has generally been believed that they were a group who specialized in ceremonial occasions, especially, funeral ceremonies.
儒（じゅ）の起源については胡適が論文「説儒」（1924年）で「殷の遺民で礼を教える士」として以来、様々な説がなされてきたが、近年は冠婚葬祭、特に葬儀を専門とした集団であったとするのが一般化してきている。