小こ話ばなし

noun

anecdote; short comic story

A brief, often humorous story or anecdote. Can be a standalone tale or a short rakugo-style piece. The two senses overlap significantly in modern usage.

• 彼かれは会かい議ぎの前まえに小こ話ばなしを披ひ露ろうして、場ばを和なごませた。

  He told a short comic story before the meeting to lighten the mood.

• この本ほんには、江え戸ど時じ代だいの面おも白しろい小こ話ばなしがたくさん載のっている。

  This book contains many interesting anecdotes from the Edo period.