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occupies an important position in the
Chinese literary tradition as a literary form. Through the author's observations of daily life, social customs, and political events, it records key aspects of Chinese society, culture, and history across different periods, and is considered a valuable historical
142:
literature emphasises personal observations, feelings, and reflections. It often records genuine insights and experiences in daily life through the author's perspective and voice, narrating fragmented segments. This form is characterised by its high flexibility and informality, representing a form of
121:
text of the Song dynasty. Therefore, they serve as crucial resources for the study of Song history. Many works of which adopting an "item-by-item style and stipulated no further rules for the size, structure, or mutual relations of these items", and continued to flourish during the later dynasties up
256:
literature from this period often focused on recording and describing, emphasising factual recording and textual criticism. Authors expressed their observations of society, history, and nature through these notes. Many scholars produced works covering a wide range of themes, including personal life,
811:
may be subject to the limitations of the narrator’s positions, biases, and experiences, thus potentially carrying subjective undertones, leading to a lack of objectivity and comprehensiveness in the works, and failing to fully reflect the true aspects of society, culture, and history. In addition,
378:
are typically intellectuals, scholars, or literati who deeply engage with pressing social, political, and cultural issues of their time. Their works provide a platform for critical reflection, social commentary, and intellectual debate. By incorporating innovative narrative and writing techniques
196:
mostly jot down relatively incoherent descriptions and reflections during their leisure time, with each section possibly lacking clear titles and instead being indicated by numerical markers. These sections or categories typically consist of numerous brief annotations, subsequently arranged and
430:, collectively create a rich and colourful literary landscape. Their artistic value and cultural significance have been highly praised, having a profound impact on the literary world and opening new possibilities for the development of contemporary literature.
802:
literature during the Ming and Qing dynasties, considering it to hold a significant position in the history of
Chinese literature and profoundly influence later literary works. At the same time, they also re-interpret and evaluate the artistic achievements of
411:, providing critical reflections on social issues. These works, through their diverse narrative techniques, reveal the social realities and political conditions of different periods, making them essential resources for studying Chinese history and culture.
778:
is a valuable resource for understanding cultural practices, social norms, and everyday life in historical China. It captures a wide range of information that formal historical records often overlook. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in
593:
137:
is a type of text divided into several categories or sections, known as "Juan" in
Chinese. Unlike traditional narrative structures that follow a chronological sequence and include clear beginnings, developments, and endings,
586:
816:
may be relatively simple regarding literary skills and artistry, potentially lacking depth in the works. Due to their emphasis on realism and documentation, they may sacrifice literary imagination and creativity.
751:
41:
it is a literary form mainly based on recording personal insights, experiences, miscellaneous sensations, and trifles, and it is known for its characteristics of scattered notes and trivial records. A book of
66:. From the Wei-Jin to Tang Dynasties, the Chinese produced many great biji which organized ancient knowledge of myriad things in patterns that are far different from the more orthodox Song biji. The Wei,
126:
as a genre "served as an alternative to the classical commentary and the formal essay" in traditional
Chinese letters and allowed writers to record their reflections or scholarly insights freely.
699:
113:, known for its extended period of peace in Chinese history, saw stable social and economic development. This stability contributed to a prosperous environment, fostering the flourishing of
188:
are often fragmented and episodic, lacking continuous narration or a unified theme, and are not constrained by formal literary structures. In some instances, the various sections within a
600:
312:
works from these periods placed more emphasis on personalized expression and literary quality, featuring strong personal colour and literary creativity. For example, the Ming
Dynasty's "
344:
document. It emphasises an informal style and subjective reflection, challenging traditional literary norms and allowing authors to express their thoughts and feelings more freely.
670:
192:
article may not have explicit headings or rules for classification. Readers, however, will discover an implicit organisational structure through attentive reading. Authors of
441:
to occupy a unique position in the history of
Chinese literature. They serve as a valuable means to understand the thoughts and social lives of ancient Chinese literati.
46:
can contain stories, anecdotes, quotations, random musings, philological speculations, literary criticism and indeed everything that the author deems worth recording.
74:
was a period of political division in
Chinese history, and also an era of flourishing culture and art. During this time gave rise to various literary genres, including
200:
252:
works recorded daily trivia and personal experiences, highlighting individual emotions and experiences while reflecting the culture and customs of the society.
693:
1004:
687:
795:
s fragmented and anecdotal nature detracts from its literary quality, while others appreciate its unique stylistic features and narrative diversity.
513:
403:
315:
282:
943:
Daiwie, Fu (2007). "The
Flourishing of Biji or Pen-Notes Texts and its Relations to History of Knowledge in Song China (960-1279)".
1189:
82:
of that period of time mostly contains the believe-it-or-not kind of anecdotes, and many of them can be treated as collections of
532:
389:
353:
1112:
The
Poetics of Miscellaneousness: The Literary Design of Liu Yiqing's Qiantang Yishi and the Historiography of the Southern Song
228:
Biji literature, as a significant literary genre, has showcased its unique characteristics and styles across different periods.
276:
1014:
892:
860:
812:
biji works are often fragmented, lacking the coherence and integrity of works. Compared with traditional literary forms,
566:
393:" uses numerous short stories to reflect the social customs and political attitudes of the aristocratic class during the
664:
451:
263:
206:
1223:
572:
1213:
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literature during the dynasty's reign from 960 to 1279. Historiographic themes hold significant importance in the
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literature not only recorded anecdotes but also reflected the social customs and personal insights of the time.
757:
1182:
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347:
394:
67:
59:
1218:
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s potential to offer fresh perspectives on contemporary issues. The literary and artistic value of
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makes it difficult to classify them into a specific literary genre, but this flexibility allows
257:
natural scenery, historical events, and cultural landscapes. For instance, the Tang
Dynasty's
1131:
578:
383:
blends vivid scenes with profound thought, inspiring contemporary intellectuals and writers.
332:
literature is an ideal medium for scholars to express their thoughts and record their lives.
1091:
Wang, Liming (2020). "The Artistic Value of Biji: Fragmentation and Narrative Innovation".
308:
literature included not only anecdotes but also aspects of politics, economy, and culture.
916:
807:
literature from the perspective of literary criticism. Some critics have pointed out that
8:
716:
960:
146:
30:
1123:
1010:
888:
856:
467:
151:
1072:
Liu, Jianjun (2018). "Cultural Memory and Historical Narrative in Biji Literature".
563:
Little Notes on the Nature of Things (物理小识 Wùlǐ Xiǎoshí) by Fang Yizhi, Ming dynasty
1115:
1054:
1045:
Cai, Zong-qi (November 2020). "The Art of Chinese Prose: A Critical Introduction".
952:
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745:
55:
34:
22:
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850:
658:
551:
231:
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literature from this period due to its detailed records and vivid descriptions.
54:
The genre a long history back to the early tradition of 'notes on the strange' (
1159:
722:
560:
Qingteng Shuwu Biji (青藤书屋笔记 Qīngténg Shūwū Bǐjì) by Wang Shizhen, Ming dynasty
1202:
1127:
1058:
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both in China and internationally. Modern writers and scholars are exploring
623:
460:
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During the Han Dynasty and the Wei, Jin, Northern, and Southern Dynasties,
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181:
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110:
106:
63:
887:. Translated by Ronald, Egan. Harvard University Asia Center. p. 12.
1119:
964:
635:
384:
1006:
The Oxford Handbook of Classical Chinese Literature (1000 BCE-900 CE)
728:
493:
476:
184:
usually have specific themes and formal requirements. In contrast,
165:
557:
Yingchuang Yicao (萤窗异草 Yíngchuāng Yìcǎo) by Qu Dajun, Qing dynasty
629:
542:
407:" documents various social phenomena and political events of the
122:
until the end of the 19th century. According to Ronald Egan, the
554:(太平广记 Tàipíng Guǎngjì), compiled by Li Fang et al., Song dynasty
1151:
522:
419:
398:
397:, revealing the power structures and social ethos of the time.
366:
297:
173:
608:
268:," contains numerous records of anecdotes and strange events.
232:
Han Dynasty and the Wei, Jin, Northern, and Southern Dynasties
427:
423:
177:
548:
Soushen Ji (搜神记 Sōushén Jì) by Gan Bao, Eastern Jin dynasty
62:
period (3rd to 4th centuries A.D.), and matured during the
37:" or "written notes". There is no strict writing mode for
105:(420 to 589) and underwent further refinement during the
101:
Biji emerged as an independent literary genre during the
798:
Modern scholars have conducted in-depth research on the
1003:
Denecke, Wiebke; Li, Wai-yee; Tian, Xiaofei (2017).
855:. Harvard University Asia Center. pp. 173–174.
569:(聊斋志异 Liáozhāi Zhìyì) by Pu Songling, Qing dynasty
514:Notes of the Thatched Abode of Close Observations
404:Notes of the Thatched Abode of Close Observations
316:Notes of the Thatched Abode of Close Observations
283:Notes of the Thatched Abode of Close Observations
1200:
304:By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the content of
1183:
1158:This Chinese literature-related article is a
1002:
752:Oracle Bones: A Journey Through Time in China
594:
545:(抱朴子 Bàopǔzǐ) by Ge Hong, Eastern Jin dynasty
414:As a part of the Chinese literary tradition,
129:
791:is often debated. Some scholars argue that
143:literature that is creative and expressive.
29:) is a special literary genre in classical
1190:
1176:
884:Limited Views: Essays on Ideas and Letters
610:Notable works of Biji (Chinese literature)
601:
587:
1047:Journal of Chinese Literature and Culture
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575:(子不语 Zǐ Bù Yǔ) by Yuan Mei, Qing dynasty
346:
275:
199:
197:categorised based on thematic relevance.
145:
881:Qian, Zhongshu (1998). "Introduction".
533:A New Account of the Tales of the World
390:A New Account of the Tales of the World
354:A New Account of the Tales of the World
335:
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1093:Journal of East Asian Literary Studies
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49:
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567:Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio
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700:Little Notes on the Nature of Things
536:(世说新语 Shìshuō Xīnyü) by Liu Yiqing,
500:Little Notes on the Nature of Things
172:Traditional literary genres such as
1109:
1071:
1044:
848:
13:
665:Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang
452:Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang
321:" became a representative work of
264:Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang
207:Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang
14:
1235:
1023:
971:
933:
917:"biji 筆記 (www.chinaknowledge.de)"
901:
869:
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379:such as essays and travel notes,
86:. To differentiate this kind of "
1150:
760:(Modern adaptations) (《浮生六记》现代版)
444:
248:In the Tang and Song Dynasties,
945:Extrême-Orient Extrême-Occident
328:As a free-form literary genre,
109:(618 to 907). In addition, the
72:Northern and Southern Dynasties
1103:
1084:
1065:
758:Six Records of a Floating Life
1:
832:
671:Notebooks from the Rong Study
538:Northern and Southern dynasty
486:Notebooks from the Rong Study
94:, the former is later called
1162:. You can help Knowledge by
7:
1009:. Oxford University Press.
820:
98:(筆記小說 "notebook fiction").
10:
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130:Characteristics and Style
26:
1224:Chinese literature stubs
1059:10.1215/23290048-8745658
1214:Chinese literary genres
681:Yuan and Ming Dynasties
646:Tang and Song Dynasties
418:along with genres like
272:Ming and Qing Dynasties
244:Tang and Song Dynasties
957:10.3406/oroc.2007.1071
371:
301:
225:
169:
921:www.chinaknowledge.de
852:Shen Gua's Empiricism
771:Criticism and Studies
350:
279:
261:literature, such as "
203:
149:
336:Influence and Legacy
164:period, authored by
717:Yuewei Caotang Biji
694:Qingteng Shuwu Biji
519:Yuèwēi Cǎotáng Bǐjì
395:Eastern Jin Dynasty
90:" from the general
50:Genre and evolution
1209:Chinese literature
1110:Liu, Gang (2010).
1074:East Asian History
915:Theobald, Ulrich.
372:
302:
226:
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103:Southern Dynasties
31:Chinese literature
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1016:978-0-19-935659-1
894:978-0-674-53411-7
862:978-0-674-98711-1
767:
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506:) by Fang Yizhi,
468:Dream Pool Essays
433:The diversity of
152:Dream Pool Essays
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827:Commonplace book
746:Cultural Amnesia
688:Yingchuang Yicao
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1053:(2): 339–381.
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58:) in the Wei-
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33:. Literally "
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1164:expanding it
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1099:(1): 85–102.
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924:. Retrieved
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710:Qing Dynasty
653:Mengxi Bitan
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508:Ming dynasty
504:Wùlǐ Xiǎoshí
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176:, rhapsody,
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107:Tang Dynasty
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64:Tang dynasty
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17:
16:
15:
951:: 103–130.
363:Qing period
294:Qing period
1203:Categories
1114:(Thesis).
926:2024-05-08
833:References
719:(《阅微草堂笔记》)
696:(《青藤书屋笔记》)
636:Soushen Ji
385:Liu Yiqing
357:(世说新语), a
1136:849306935
1128:894435924
1132:ProQuest
965:42635796
821:See also
754:(《寻路中国》)
748:(《文化苦旅》)
729:Zi Bu Yu
725:(《聊斋志异》)
702:(《物理小识》)
690:(《萤窗异草》)
673:(《容斋随笔》)
667:(《酉阳杂俎》)
661:(《太平广记》)
655:(《梦溪笔谈》)
626:(《世说新语》)
573:Zi Bu Yu
517:(閱微草堂筆記
494:Hong Mai
477:Shen Kuo
319:(閱微草堂筆記)
285:(閱微草堂筆記)
166:Shen Kuo
35:notebook
731:(《子不语》)
638:(《搜神记》)
632:(《抱朴子》)
630:Baopuzi
543:Baopuzi
56:zhiguai
23:Chinese
1134:
1126:
1013:
963:
891:
859:
523:Ji Yun
502:(物理小識
488:(容齋隨筆
471:(夢溪筆談
459:), by
455:(酉陽雜俎
426:, and
420:poetry
399:Ji Yun
367:Ji Yun
298:Ji Yun
266:（酉陽雜俎）
209:（酉陽雜俎）
180:, and
174:poetry
154:(夢溪筆談)
78:. The
25::
961:JSTOR
793:biji’
785:biji’
521:) by
492:) by
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428:drama
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