10th century, China, Chinese, East Asia, historical figure, primary source, quotes, research, Song dynasty, Southern Tang, stories
The 10th century Chinese jester Li Jiaming 李家明 (Adding Clarity Li) needed some money to pay his mother’s funeral expenses. When the emperor had some time off from affairs of state, he sat in his Leisure Hall practising calligraphy. Adding Clarity ambled in and...
15th century, East Asia, historical figure, India, Japan, primary source, quotes, stories
Jesters and jester types were regularly rewarded by the king or other head honcho for their services. In addition to accounts of such gifts and perks, there is a sub-set of stories showing the fool using some humorous wheeze to squeeze a bit extra from the royal...
16th century, folk fool, India, primary source, quotes, stories
Another example of a jester feigning death, in this case to reveal – or expose – the intentions of the king which Tenali Rama may have suspected weren’t entirely noble.Tenali Rama is one of a handful of superstar jesters in India, and while his name...
