SHUNGA
Japanese Erotic Prints 1780-1900

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During the Edo period, nearly all of the the woodblock print artists working in the ukiyo-e style supplemented their income by producing a large number of erotic prints.  Known as Shunga, (“Spring Pictures” in English), these prints were most often published in the form of albums, known as enpon.  Although shunga prints are notable for their frank and graphic depictions of sexuality, they are equally notable for their high quality of composition and craftsmanship, placing them among the most prized subjects from the Edo and Meiji periods.  Shunga continued to be a popular art form until it was largely supplanted by erotic photography in the late 19th century.

Attributed to TOMIOKA EISEN (1864-1905)

Shunga
Series: Yakumo No Chigiri
Color woodblock, c. 1890
8-3/4 x 12-1/2 inches

27917c
$450.

Shunga

Color woodblock, c. 1890s
Some light soiling in image
6-3/8 x 8-3/4 inches

27924c
$250.

Attributed to TOMIOKA EISEN (1864-1905)

Shunga
Series: Yakumo No Chigiri
Color woodblock, c. 1890
8-3/4 x 12-1/2 inches

27914c
$425.

Attributed to SHUNSHO (Japanese, 1726-1792)

Shunga
Color woodblock, c. 1785
Light soiling in lower margin
3-7/8 x 5-5/8 inches

27919c
$375.

Attributed to SHUNSHO (Japanese, 1726-1792)

Shunga
Color woodblock, c. 1785
3-7/8 x 5-5/8 inches

27921c
$400.

Attributed to SHUNSHO (Japanese, 1726-1792)

Shunga
Color woodblock, c. 1785
Light soiling in lower margin
3-7/8 x 5-5/8 inches

27920c
$375.

Shunga: Scenes from Chushingura

Act 8: Michiyuki - The Bridal Journey
Color woodblock, c. 1850
3-1/2 x 9-3/4 inches
Mitate, a type of literary parody, is a common device in Japanese woodblock prints. In this series, scenes from the famous Kabuki play Chushingura are parodied with erotic situations to comedic effect.

27937c
$250.

Shunga: Scenes from Chushingura

Act 11: The Vendetta Scene
Color woodblock, c. 1850
3-1/2 x 9-3/4 inches
Mitate, a type of literary parody, is a common device in Japanese woodblock prints. In this series, scenes from the famous Kabuki play Chushingura are parodied with erotic situations to comedic effect.

27938c
SOLD

Shunga

Lovers in "Heian Era" Style
Color woodblock, c. 1840s
9-5/8 x 15 inches

27930c
$500.

Shunga

Series: Omoi No Take
Color woodblock, c. 1795
Utamaro School
8-1/2 x 12-1/4 inches

27916c

Shunga

Color woodblock, c. 1890s
Some light soiling in image
6-3/8 x 8-3/4 inches

27926c
$250.

Shunga

Color woodblock
19th century
6 x 8 inches

17611c
$225.

Attributed to KUNISADA (Japanese, 1768-1864)

Shunga
Color woodblock, c. 1850
5-3/4 x 6-1/2 inches

17618
$300.

Attributed to KUNISADA (Japanese, 1768-1864)

Shunga
Color woodblock, c. 1850
Small loss at centerfold
5-3/4 x 6-1/2 inches

17624
$325.