Japanese newspapers began in the 17th century as yomiuri (読売、literally "to read and sell") or kawaraban (瓦版, literally "tile-block printing" referring to the use of clay printing blocks), which were printed handbills sold in major cities to commemorate major social gatherings or events.
Koshinbun, on the other hand, were more plebeian, popular newspapers that contained local news, human interest stories, and light fiction.