noun
Refers to fiction aimed at a general readership, often contrasted with 純文学 (pure literature). Genres like historical novels, mysteries, and romance are also used.
彼は大衆文学の作家として広く知られている。
He is widely known as a writer of popular literature.
純文学 is 'pure literature' with artistic or literary merit as its primary goal, while 大衆文学 prioritizes entertainment and broad appeal.
Compound of 大衆 (taishū, 'the masses, general public') + 文学 (bungaku, 'literature'). The term became common in early 20th-century Japan to distinguish entertainment-oriented fiction from elite literary works.