Yun Ji

Born in 1724 and active during the Qing dynasty, Ji Yun—also known as Ji Xiaolan—was a Chinese scholar, writer, and official. He earned the highest level civil service degree in 1754 and went on to serve in important scholarly and government roles, building a reputation as one of the notable literary figures of his time.

He is especially remembered today for Yuewei caotang biji (閱微草堂筆記), often translated as Notes from the Thatched Abode of Close Observations or Random Jottings from the Cottage of Careful Scrutiny. The collection brings together strange tales, reflections, and reported incidents about ghosts, fox spirits, morality, and everyday life, written in a style that feels both learned and conversational.

Ji Yun also played a major part in the world of books and scholarship beyond his own writing. He was associated with large imperial literary projects, and his long afterlife in print reflects how comfortably he bridged elite scholarship and popular storytelling. He died in 1805.