kusazōshi; illustrated storybook
Refers to a genre of popular illustrated fiction from the Edo period, often with simple text and pictures. The term is historical and not used for modern picture books.
During the Edo period, kusazōshi were widely read among common people.
The term combines 草 (kusa, here meaning 'draft' or 'informal') and 双紙 (sōshi, 'bound book'), reflecting the casual, popular nature of these works. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.