The popular novels that appeared in Muromachi period (from the middle of14th century to the end of16th century) are collectively referred to as "Yujiacaozi". Its appearance marks that the story genre of the civilian class has entered the literary world, and the aristocratic literature that has occupied the literary world for a long time has further declined. The authors include monks, hermits, singers and March. There are mainly fairy tales, belief stories, love stories, children's stories (also known as children's stories), stepchildren's stories, Wu stories, revenge stories, filial piety stories and so on. Most of the works are based on folk stories, describing the lucky experiences of civilians and paying attention to the development of plots, but the themes and ideas of the works are mostly influenced by the literature of the dynasties. Famous works include Zheng Wen Caozi, One-inch Master, and Taro Pujima.
In the early edo period, that is, from the beginning of17th century to1780s, a popular literary work written almost entirely under a pseudonym was called a pseudonym. Its readers include women and children. Fiction is the main genre, including fairy tales and essays. Novels include love stories, Buddhist stories, jokes and Japanese, China and Indian legends. The ideological content of the work includes Confucian educational thought, Buddhist thought of being born, etc. Caozi's pen name inherits the tradition of Yujia Caozi, but it is closer to reality than the latter, which breeds the germination of realism in modern Japanese literature. Famous writers such as Lei Zi, Masazo Suzuki, Hirofumi Maru and Asai. Important works include Funny Story and Two Monks.
Before and after Yuan Lu in the Edo period, the popular novel in Kyoto and Osaka was called Floating Grass. The popular time began with the publication of "Men of Lascivious Generation" in 1682, and lasted for about 80 years. Ukiyo-e Caozi abandoned the didactic and archaized style of Caozi's pen name, and described the secular life and people from the front, that is, the real society where the townspeople (citizens) live. Its appearance marks the establishment of Maji literature. Judging from the nature of the materials, Ukiyo-e includes erotic novels, Machimoto novels, Wizardry novels and legendary novels. The most famous author is Ihara Xihe, as well as Nishizawa Yifeng, Du Jin and Jiangdao Qizhai. His important works include A Lascivious Generation of Men, Five Lascivious Women, Japan's Permanent Collection, Xihe Native Products and so on.
In the middle and late Edo period, a popular novel called Cao Shuang Paper prevailed, including children's books, such as green books, red books and black books, as well as yellow paper and bound books, which gradually evolved from short stories to multi-volume novels and became the mainstream of popular literature. Its development is mostly related to the fashion hobbies of Machi people. It was once characterized by satire, antics and even political satire. Representative writers include Jingchuan, Lianchuan Chuncao, She Yijiu and Qu Qin. His important works include The Glorious Dream of Mr. Jin Jin, Burning Birch in Edo, and Learning to Dye Grass Early.