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 - From a series of Meiji shunga prints depicting erotic images involving female nurses and other caregivers in sensual encounters with soldiers and officers during the late Meiji period. This theme was common during the later Meiji era. Classic designs in a style immediately recognizable from this era. Please note, this is a lithograph, not a woodblock print.

Artist - Meiji era artist (unsigned)

Image Size - 4 3/4" x 7 1/8"

Condition - This print with nice color and detail as shown. Minor soiling. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.