戯げ作さく

noun

cheap literature; writing for amusement

General term for light, entertaining, or frivolous writing, often contrasted with serious literature. Can be used for modern works as well.

• 彼かれの小しょう説せつは戯げ作さくに過すぎないと批ひ判はんされた。

  His novel was criticized as being nothing more than cheap literature.

noun

Edo-period light literature

Specifically refers to a genre of popular, often humorous or satirical, fiction that flourished in the late Edo period (late 18th to mid-19th century).

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい後こう期きの戯げ作さくには、洒落しゃれ本ぼんや滑こっ稽けい本ぼんなどがある。

  Edo-period light literature includes genres like sharebon and kokkeibon.