The first collection of amusing stories in Japan was "Seisuisho," which is said to have been written in 1623 by Sakuden ANRAKUAN at Seigan-ji Temple, based on the tales he told to Shigemune ITAKURA, the Governor-General of Kyoto.
滑稽な話を集めた本の元祖としては、誓願寺の安楽庵策伝が京都所司代の板倉重宗に語った話をもとに作られたという1623年の『醒睡笑』が挙げられる。