Japanese Sex Toys as Portrayed in Ancient Shunga

01/18/2018

4 min

Shunga prints depicting Japanese sex toys from the Edo Period were included for the joy and education. These sex toys were produced for both men and women and the designs were often accompanied by pseudo-scientific descriptions explaining why each sex toy should be used. This stems from the idea that sex and health are inevitably entwined.

Below you can find additional info, designs depicting Japanese sex toys and also rare pictures of original pieces:

Print with various japanese sex toys such as a harigata

Fig.1. ‘Various sex toys‘ (c.1839) from the series ‘Ama no ukihashi‘ by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)

The above image (Fig.1.) depicts the following Japanese sex toys: a harigata (right), kujiri (upper left), and a dokata (below left).

Fig.2. ‘Multiple sex toys‘ (c.1839) from the series ‘Ama no ukihashi‘ by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)

Figure 2 depicts a tagaigata (left), a kabutokaki (first on the right), a rin no tama (second on the right), a namako no wa (third on the right) and a rin no wa (fourth on the right).

Benevolent Dildo

The four koban shunga by Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) added below include text that explains on how often one should have sex for optimal health organized in relation to the four seasons. Translated it reads: “spring three times a week, summer six, autumn one, winter none.” The image for winter portrays a chastity device for the male and a rather benevolent dildo for the female.

Fig.3. ‘Autumn: Leather phallus bag‘ (c.1822) from the series ‘Sex toys for Women’s Pleasure in the Bedroom (Keichū nyo’etsu warai-dōgu)‘ attributed to Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)

Fig.4. ‘Winter: Dildo‘ (c.1822) from the series ‘Sex Toys for Women’s Pleasure in the Bedroom (Keichū nyo’etsu warai-dōgu)‘ attributed to Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)

Fig.5. ‘Spring: Helmet, Armour‘ (c.1822) from the series ‘Sex Toys for Women’s Pleasure in the Bedroom (Keichū nyo’etsu warai-dōgu)‘ attributed to Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)

De[iction of Japanese sex toys, a sea-cucumber ring, jewel balls and small dildo.

Fig.6. ‘Summer: Sea-cucumber Ring, Jewel Balls, Small Dildo‘ (c.1822) from the series ‘Sex Toys for Women’s Pleasure in the Bedroom (Keichū nyo’etsu warai-dōgu)‘ attributed to Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)

Inserting a rin no tama before penetration.

Fig.7. ‘Inserting a rin no tama‘ (c.1890s) attributed to Tomioka Eisen (1864-1905)

Fig.8. ‘Double penetration using a harigata‘ (c.1890s) attributed to Tomioka Eisen (1864-1905)

Fig.10. ‘A male lover pleasing two women at the same time using a harigata‘ (c.1825) from the series ‘Kon kurabe tama no ase‘ attributed to Utagawa Sadashige (aka. Utagawa Kuniteru, act. 1818-1860)

A woman is applying lubricant to the penis of her lover.

Fig.11. ‘Applying lubricant to the penis‘ (c.1830s) attributed to Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)

A female applying a lubricant to the huge member of her lover.

Fig.12. ‘Female applying a lubricant to the huge member of her lover‘ (c.1850) by Utagawa school.

Jewel Balls

A woman is rubbing in her lover’s penis with a lubricant. In front of them lay some jewel balls and a higozuiki that she will wind around his penis later on during their love-play. He tenderly strokes her chin while his toes caress her private parts.