2nd century, 3rd century, China, East Asia, fooleum, Han dynasty, painting, primary source
If you follow the Fooleum, you will have gathered that there is a relative paucity of images of Chinese jesters and related entertainers, at least when compared to the pictoral plethora in Europe.  So I was delighted to discover this Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)...
19th century, East Asia, English, historical figure, primary source, quotes, stories
In an account of Anna Leonowens’ (1831-1915) time as governess at the court of King Mongkut of Siam (r. 1851-68), there is a reference to the recruitment and training of a dwarf-jester, Nai-Teh (Mr. Little), demonstrating the ad hoc way people came to be court...
9th century, Europe, fictive fool, folk fool, Ireland, Irish, primary source, quotes, stories
In `The Destruction of Da Derga’s Hostel’ (`Togail Bruidne Da Derga’), an Irish saga written no later than the eighth or ninth century, Taulchinne, juggler to Conaire the High King of Ireland (whose dates vary according to sources from c. 110 BCE to c. 14 CE)...
