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‎Shunga. - Erotic color woodblock print book (Enpon) from 19th c. Japan.‎

‎ 13 leaves of Japanese washi paper (every leaf consists of 2 folded leaves) with 14 fullpage woodblock color printed illustrations (of which 6 are double page illustrations), second leaf cut open at the fold, in fine conditions and fresh, original japanese paperbinding, slightly worn.‎

Reference : 90853aaf

‎Shunga (picture of spring) is a term used for erotic images in Japan. Like the present fine example they were mostly a form of Ukiyo-e, executed in woodblock print format and often sold in book form called enpon. They show sexual acts between men and women in different positions, surroundings and clothing. A lot of symbolism can be found in these works that were widely available from the 16th to 19th c. in Edo-Japan and read by both men and women of all classes. Flowers in the background, certain objects lying around etc. carry a special meaning to the knowing reader. Sometimes called ,pillow books’ as they were a traditional wedding gift to young couples, to be stored in the japanese wooden „pillows“ as an instruction or for amusement of the reader. Such pillows can for example be seen in this richly colored work that shows courtisans and samurai having sex in beautiful surroundings and in richly decorated clothing. On the first pages characters are introduced. A courtisan playing the koto, a wooden string instrument, meeting a samurai with an umbrella... All in full color printing, a technique developed in Japan during the latter half of the 18th c., replacing handcolored art. Almost all ukiyo-e artists made shunga, because they sold well and for higher prices. Officially they were banned by the Shogunate but still remained popular during the Edo period. The introduction of photography led to the decline of this art form at the beginning of the 20th c. Image disp.‎