Shunga
|
Shunga (春画) is the
Japanese term for erotic art. The word
“shunga” literally means spring
picture, with “spring” being a euphemism for sex. Most shunga
was published in books, with the larger images spanning two facing
pages. Although shunga is generally unsigned, hidden signatures and known
pseudonyms often permit identification of the artist. Kuniyoshi is known to have used the
pseudonyms Hakubyôkai Hodoyoshi
(happy keeper of white cats), Gobyôtei Hodoyoshi (five cat home–just right), and Sanbentei Nekoyoshi (the Sanbentei cat lover).
The titles of shunga are
often plays on words, resulting is widely varying translations. A good introduction to shunga may be found in this article by Marijn Kruijff. |
|
Series |
Date |
Shirakura* |
Robinson† |
|
Tôsei Suikoden (A Modern Suikoden) |
1829 |
6 |
|
|
Ehon Chushingura (Treasury of the Loyal Retainers) |
1829 |
16 |
|
|
1829 |
22 |
|
|
|
Fuzoku Suikoden (An Elegant Suikoden) |
1829 |
28 |
|
|
Tsukushi matsu
fuji no shigarami (The Matsu Fuji Weir in Kyûshû) |
1830 |
30 |
|
|
1830 |
36 |
|
|
|
1830 |
42 |
|
|
|
Kaidan hyakki
yagyô (Ghost Stories: Night Procession of the Hundred Demons) |
1830 |
156 |
|
|
Nazorae Suikoden (An
Imitation of the Suikoden) |
c. 1830 |
|
|
|
Picture Book of Yin and Yang
Parodies of Apparitions (paintings) (Yôkai mitate in'yô zukan) |
c. 1830 |
158 |
|
|
1831 |
48 |
|
|
|
Tôsei azuma
buri (The Truth about
Modern Wicked Women of the Eastern Capital) |
1831 |
58 |
|
|
Shunshoku mutamagawa (Spring Scenery along the Six Crystal
Rivers) |
1832 |
68 |
|
|
1832 |
70 |
|
|
|
Aki no nanakusa
zokuhen (Seven Flowers of Autumn: The Sequel) |
1832 |
74 |
|
|
1832 |
78 |
|
|
|
Ômi hakkei (Eight Views of Lovers’ Meetings) |
1833 |
82 |
|
|
Koi Genji (Genji Love) |
1833 |
160 |
|
|
Edo Murasaki Yoshiwara Genji (Edo’s Murasaki and Yoshiwara’s
Genji) |
1834 |
92 |
|
|
Hana-goyomi (Calendar
of Flowers) |
1835 |
94 |
|
|
Azuma Genji awase (Prince Genji of the East) |
1835 |
|
|
|
Karine no yume (Dreams while Napping) |
1836 |
|
|
|
Shunshoku irifune
chô (Spring Scenery for the Launching of New Ships) |
1837 |
102 |
|
|
Gyokueki chiwa
hana ikada (Flowers
by a Stream) |
1837 |
108 |
|
|
Hana-musubi Irono Hodoyoshi (Fitting Colors of Floral Decorations) |
1837 |
116 |
|
|
Edo nishiki azuma bunko (Edo Brocade, The Eastern Library) |
1838 |
124 |
|
|
Chinpen shinkeibai (The Pillowed Boudoir) |
1839 |
132 |
|
|
Kuni no sakae (A Country’s Glory) |
1840 |
|
|
|
Hana no egao (The Flower’s Smile) |
c. 1840 |
|
|
|
c. 1840 |
|
|
|
|
Tanuki (Raccoon Dogs) |
1842 |
|
209 |
|
early 1840s |
|
|
|
|
Aratamete tanuki no tawamure (More Fun with Raccoon Dogs) |
1844-1846 |
|
|
|
Dôke tanuki no...
(The Popular Raccoon Dogs as...) |
1846 |
|
|
|
Nan-nyo no ryoji (Male and Female Travelers) |
1849-1850 |
|
|
|
1852 |
142 |
|
|
|
Takarabune hichi
fuku jin (The Female Treasure Ship) |
1853 |
144 |
|
|
Tôsei komonchô (Little Book of Fashionable Patterns) |
1853 |
146 |
|
|
Shikidô 18 kajô (Eighteen Excesses of Sexual Passion) |
1853 |
|
|
|
Shunshoku matsu no sakae (The Vigorous Growth of the Erotic Pine) |
c. 1848-1854 |
|
|
|
Shunshoku chisato
no chigiri (Erotic Connections with Distant Lands) |
c. 1840s-1860s |
|
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
Adamakura Chûshingura (Revenge of the Loyal Retainers:) |
1857 |
154 |
|
|
|
|||
|
|
90, 161 |
|
|
|
*Page number in Japanese Shunga of
Kuniyoshi by Yoshihiko Shirakura, 2012,
Heibonsha Ltd., Tokyo †Series number in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson, 1961, Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO MAIN PAGE
|
|
