This composition by Gessai Gabimaru (1789-1834) represents Western men coupling with Japanese women, and is similar to other such scenes produced by Chokyosai Eiri, Keisai Eisen, and Kitagawa Utamaro.
Aphrodisiac
Here, a woman from Kyoto and a Dutchman from Dejima are absorbed in their lovemaking (Fig.1). He has offered her an aphrodisiac like the Dutchman in Eisen’s A Picture Book of the Many Beautiful Ways to Mess Up.
Fig.1. ‘Dutchman and Japanese courtesan‘ (c.1800) from the series ‘Picture Book: The Laughable Erotic Shellfish (Ehon warai gai)‘ by Gessai Gabimaru
Nonsensically
The woman here cries out,’This Dutch aphrodisiac works as a charm! I’ll come like a fool! If I have your child, I’ll have to show off this son of a foreigner in Kyoto.’ Between a string of onomatopoeic utterances, Gabimaru attempts to imitate, albeit nonsensically, the Dutch words spoken by man during orgasm: “Kinniyou kinniyou, hekereke hekereke, gucha, gucha, gucha!”
Vaginal Secretions
The following scene* (Fig.2) examines the supposedly European custom of having a bowl to hand to catch vaginal secretions for medicinal use. The artist Keisai Eisen referred to this in his Pillow Library (Makuro bunko), announcing a ‘Method For Producing the European Life-Prolonging Ointment’.
Fig.2. ‘Dutchman collecting vaginal fluids‘ ( c.1810s) from the series ‘Rakuto furyu suagata-kurabe (Comparisons of Elegances in West Raku)‘ by Urakusai Nagahide (act.1804-1848) (Source: ‘Shunga. Explicit art of Japan‘, 2016. Authors: A. E. Pushakova, K. G. Danelya) *
Onto the Glans
The cost of ingredients was about five small coins. He wrote: ‘…smear it onto the glans about one hour before intercourse; certainly apply it when becoming flaccid; works miracles.’
There is also a senryu (poem) of 1791:
The foreigner
Plants a vase
By the woman’s behind.
Click HERE and check out how Gessai Gabimaru inspired the Betty Woodman….!!
Or HERE for some crazy encounters between Japanese geisha and various exotic Westerners…!!
Sources: ‘Erotic Japonisme: The Influence of Japanese Sexual Imagery on Western Art‘ by Ricard Bru
‘Sex and the Floating World: Erotic Images in Japan 1700-1820‘ by Timon Screech
If you come across other enticing examples of shunga portraying Westerners please let us know in the comment box below or through our contact form…!!
* photo provided by the devoted producer Darya
