author
Yun Ji
1724–1805
Best known by the courtesy name Ji Xiaolan, this Qing dynasty scholar became famous for his sharp wit, wide learning, and lasting influence on Chinese literary culture. He is especially remembered for helping compile the vast Siku Quanshu and for the lively anecdotal collection Notes from the Thatched Abode of Close Observations.
1 Audiobook
閱微草堂筆記
by Yun Ji
About the author
Born in 1724 and dying in 1805, Ji Yun was a Chinese scholar, official, and writer of the Qing dynasty, often known as Ji Xiaolan. He built a reputation for remarkable learning and became one of the best-known literary figures of his time.
He served in government, but he is especially remembered for his role in the compilation of the Siku Quanshu, one of the largest editorial projects in imperial Chinese history. His name also remains closely linked with Yuewei caotang biji, often translated as Notes from the Thatched Abode of Close Observations, a collection of strange tales, reflections, and informal observations that helped preserve his voice for later generations.
Today, he is often remembered as both a serious man of letters and a vivid personality: a scholar connected to major state projects, yet also a writer whose curiosity, humor, and storytelling still stand out.