gesaku writer; writer of light fiction (Edo period)
Refers specifically to authors of gesaku (戯作), a genre of popular, often humorous or satirical fiction from the late Edo period. Not a general term for modern fiction writers.
Gesaku writers of the Edo period include Jippensha Ikku and Shikitei Sanba.
As a gesaku writer, he wrote many kokkeibon (humorous books) and ninjōbon (romantic books).
Compound of 戯作 (gesaku, 'playful writing', a genre of light Edo-period fiction) and 者 (sha, 'person'). The exact historical derivation of 戯作 is uncertain, but it refers to writing done for amusement rather than serious literature.