active 4th century Jia Wang

Active in the 4th century and usually identified as Wang Jia (also called Wang Zinian), he is known as the compiler of Shi Yi Ji (Records of Gleanings or Forgotten Tales), a collection of mythological and historical anecdotes from early China.

Sources consulted in this conversation describe Shi Yi Ji as a work from the Eastern Jin period and note that Wang Jia died in 390. The book became known for preserving fantastic stories, court legends, and fragments of older traditions that were not fully kept in standard histories.

Although biographical details are limited, his reputation rests on the way he brought together folklore, wonder tales, and accounts of ancient rulers into one memorable collection. For modern listeners, he offers a window into how medieval China imagined its distant past.