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.

Comments - A terrific original print from a series of shunga produced in the late 19th century. Styled after Tomioka Eisen's shunga series "Poetic Intercourse", these prints are notable for the extensive use of shimmering mica inks - an expensive embellishment, not often seen in Meiji era shunga productions.

Artist - After Tomioka Eisen (1864 - 1905)

Image Size - 7" x 4 3/4" + margins as shown

Condition - In excellent condition overall. Some minor stitching holes. A few light spots or minor soiling marks. Please see photos for individual details. Nice overall.