Series; The Floating Bridge of Heaven, 1830 (Ama no ukibashi)

by Shigenobu I (1787 - 1832)

Current Status

Series; The Floating Bridge of Heaven, 1830 (Ama no ukibashi) by Shigenobu I (1787 - 1832)

Original Shigenobu I (1787 - 1832) Japanese Woodblock Print
Series; The Floating Bridge of Heaven, 1830 (Ama no ukibashi)

Shunga - Shunga is a Japanese term for erotic pictures. Some scholars believe that the first shunga were inspired by Chinese medical manuals. Shunga prints grew in popularity in the early 18th century and the production of shunga peaked in the golden age of the print period in the late 19th century. Many ukiyo-e artists did shunga in addition to their normal specialties. The works sold well and, often at higher prices than the normal genre. So, artists had an incentive to delve into the realm of shunga. Often of very high quality and with great sensitivity to the subject, the best artists produced shunga of remarkable beauty. Shunga were rarely signed as collectors in the field know. Some of the noted artists in the field were Moronobu, Hokusai, Shigenobu and the great Utamaro.

Series; The Floating Bridge of Heaven, 1830 (Ama no ukibashi) - The title of this shunga series refers to a mythical bridge that connected heaven and earth. In the Japanese creation myth it was the place where Izanagi and his wife Izanami formed the world. The couple represented the divine essense of male and female. From this bridge, Izanagi plunged his spear into the sea and when he pulled it out, the water dripping from the tip formed the islands of Japan. The suggestive imagery of the formation of the world is certainly intended as Izanagi and Izanami were also the first couple to have sex and procreate. Each of the prints in this terrific series features a couple embodying the essences of Izanagi and Izanami as they make love.

Artist - Shigenobu I (1787 - 1832)

Image Size - 11" x 7 1/2" + margins as shown

Condition - This print with excellent color and detail. Some rubbing and soiling at edges. A few light spots or stains. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.

Series; The Floating Bridge of Heaven, 1830 (Ama no ukibashi) by Shigenobu I (1787 - 1832)
Series; The Floating Bridge of Heaven, 1830 (Ama no ukibashi) by Shigenobu I (1787 - 1832)

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