noun
Edo-period illustrated story book
Historical term for a type of popular illustrated fiction from the Edo period. Often used in academic or museum contexts.
この博物館には江戸時代の絵草紙が多数展示されている。
Many Edo-period ezōshi are on display at this museum.
絵草紙は当時の庶民
Ezōshi are valuable materials for understanding the popular culture of the time.
草双紙 is a broader category of Edo-period illustrated popular fiction, while 絵草紙 often refers specifically to a later type with more emphasis on pictures.
Compound of 絵 (e, 'picture') and 草紙 (zōshi, 'bound book' or 'storybook'). The term refers to illustrated storybooks popular in the Edo period.