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; A Light Spring Snow (Haru no usuyuki), 1822 - Beyond being created by one of the great masters of Ukiyo-e, these prints are notable because of the setting for each of the intimate encounters. Most shunga set encounters in teahouses or houses of the Yoshiwara. The prints of this series take place in a variety of locales from rural mountainsides to pleasure boats. This series is also distinguished by being produced at a very high quality with details more often seen in custom surimono prints.

Artist - Eisen (1790 - 1848)

Image Size - 12 1/2" x 8 1/4" +margins as shown

Condition - With excellent color and detail. A vertical crease at center. Some light rubbing and soiling at edges. A few spots and faint toning. Please see photos for details. In very nice condition overall.