Foremost of storytelling authors, keenly ironic (4)
I believe the answer is:
saki
'foremost of storytelling authors keenly ironic' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'foremost of storytelling authors keenly ironic' is the wordplay.
'foremost of' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'storytelling authors keenly ironic' is 'SAKI'.
(Other definitions for saki that I've seen before include "Scottish writer" , "Pen name of short story writer, H.H. Munro, d. 1916" , "Pen-name of Hector Hugh Munro, d. 1916" , "refreshment for Orientals" , "Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice" .)