noun
anecdote; little-known fact
Refers to an interesting or amusing story about a real incident or person, often one not widely known. Can also denote an obscure or unknown fact.
彼は歴史上の人物に関する逸事を集めている。
He collects anecdotes about historical figures.
その逸事は地元の古老だけが知っている。
That little-known fact is known only to the local elders.
逸話 is the more common word for 'anecdote' in modern Japanese. 逸事 is less frequent and can also carry the nuance of an obscure fact or event.
Composed of 逸 (escape, deviate, excel) and 事 (matter, thing). The combination suggests a matter that has escaped common knowledge, hence an anecdote or little-known fact. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.