A lot of the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century shunga books contain enlarged images of male and female genitals, occasionally while engaged in the sexual act. These kind of ‘close-up’ designs were intended to provide instruction about anatomy and how to give pleasure.
Different Shapes
These educational images are mostly found immediately following the other illustrations in shunga books. Such prints are modeled after older versions that were used to teach human anatomy, which showed different shapes of male and female organs.
‘Post-ejaculation scene‘ (c.1814) from the series ‘Kinoe no komatsu (Languishing for Love aka Young Pine Saplings)‘ by Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)
A lovely image from Hokusai’s most famous shunga work Kinoe no komatsu featuring a post-coital moment as emphasized by the tissue in the vagina and the shrunken penis.
‘Intercourse close-up‘ (c.1837) from the series ‘Genji of the East, Charm of Flowers and Birds (Kachõ yojõ Azuma Genji)‘ by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865)
This Kunisada design includes a “magnifying glass” cartouche that offers the viewer a detailed interior view of their love-making.
‘Ejaculating penis inside vagina‘ from the series ‘Makura Bunko (The Pillow Library)‘, c.1822 by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)
A meticulously detailed close-up design of a climactic moment during penetration. From Eisen’s famous ‘The Pillow Library’-series.
‘Genitals before penetration‘ (c.1843) from the series ‘Haru no neya otogi-bunko‘ by Koikawa Shozan (1821-1907)
‘Pre-intercourse close up‘ (c.1837) from the series: ‘Shunshoku Irifune Cho’ by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861)
‘Mutual masturbation‘ (c.1820s) from the series ‘Masukagami (Clear Mirror)‘ by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)
‘Male and female genitalia‘ (c.1820s) by Keisai Eisen
‘Orgasmic moment‘ (c.1825) from the series ‘Tama no utena‘ by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)
‘Just before penetration‘ (c.1825) from the series ‘Kon kurabe tama no ase‘ attributed to Utagawa Sadashige (aka. Utagawa Kuniteru, act. 1818-1860)
‘Close-up with insert of ejaculating penis with cock ring inside vagina‘ (c.1830) attributed to Kunisada
‘Close-up with insert of ejaculating penis inside vagina‘ (c.1830) attributed to Kunisada
‘Post-coital close-up‘ (c.1803) from the series ‘Ehon warai jogo (The Laughing Drinker)‘ by Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806)
‘Close up of intimate couple from the back‘ (c.1810s) from the series ‘Ehon koi no misao (Manipulations of Love, an elegant book‘ by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)
‘Ejaculation during intercourse’ (c.1825) from the ‘Masukagami (Clear Mirror)’ series by Keisai Eisen.
‘Closeup intercourse with inserted image of the couple‘ (c.1890) attributed to Tomioka Eisen (1864-1905)
‘From the rear‘ (c.1890s) attributed to Tomioka Eisen (1864-1905)
‘Close up intercourse‘ (c.1890s) attributed to Tomioka Eisen (1864-1905)
‘Intercourse close-up‘ (c.1890s) attributed to Tomioka Eisen (1864-1905)
‘Double penetration using a dildo (harigata)‘ (c.1840) by Utagawa school
‘Close up intercourse‘ (c.1845) by Utagawa school
Detail of a Meiji painting ‘Intercourse close up‘
Painting with a ‘intercourse close-up‘ (Meiji era) by an unknown artist
Scroll painting featuring ‘two close up intercourse images‘ (c.1910s) by an unknown Meiji artist
‘Plate with close-up intercourse scene and condoms‘ (1987) from the ‘AIDS series Pillow Book‘ by Masami Teraoka
Surimono design portraying ‘close up shot from below of male and female genitalia‘ (c.1820s) attributed to Keisai Eisen
‘Unusual intercourse close up pose‘ (c.1830) by Utagawa school
‘Eight Illustrated Tips for Sexual Intercourse‘ (1823 – Bunsei 6) from the series ‘News from the Bedroom: The Pillow Library‘ by Keisai Eisen
A body that is intertwined in various positions. The taste of mating changes depending on the angle and depth of insertion. The same pleasure does not come as one. ‘Hayashi Minami’ (c.1836) by Keisai Eisen
‘Phallus invasion‘ (c.1850) by Utagawa school. (Source: ‘Shunga. Explicit art of Japan‘, 2016. Authors: A. E. Pushakova, K. G. Danelya)
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