The Genroku era enjoyed economic prosperity based on the development of agricultural productivity, and in the field of literature and painting famous masterpieces such as Ukiyozoshi (Literally, Books of the Floating World) by Saikaku IHARA, seven-syllable verse (haikai) by Basho MATSUO, Joruri (dramatic narrative chanted to a samisen accompaniment) by Monzaemon CHIKAMATSU and ukiyoe paintings by Moronobu HISHIKAWA were created.
農業生産力の発展を基盤として、経済的な繁栄が見られたのが元禄であり、この時代には文学や絵画の面でも、井原西鶴の浮世草子、松尾芭蕉の俳諧、近松門左衛門の浄瑠璃、菱川師宣の浮世絵などが誕生していく。