An Aroused Couple in the Act of Mutual Masturbation
27 juli 2017 
3 min. read

An Aroused Couple in the Act of Mutual Masturbation

A tanzaku-e sized set of two prints from a set of twelve luxuriously-printed designs with explicit designs and their accompanying prints depicting a more modest image. The text on the right print is either a dialogue between the two protagonists or a commentary on the left print.

Mutual Masturbation

In this case the left print portrays an affectionate couple performing mutual masturbation in a dreamlike setting. An American lantern stands in the background. The right print depicts a discreet image with additional Japanese text which is the actual dialogue between the couple in the left image.

Let’s take a look at the translation of this dialogue below the picture:

Intimate masturbating couple in front of an American lantern

Intimate couple in front of an American lantern (c.1830) attributed to Utagawa Kunisada

Bed dialogue (with American lantern):

Man: “The light is totally different from the light of candles or floor lamps: it’s just brighter and our “game” gets more interesting.  I see your and my “thing” much clearer. It’s great.”

Woman: “I think it’s too bright, I am ashamed.”

Man: “It seems like I am involved with an American lady.”

The man fingering the woman in a blue kimono

Excerpt from the above print

Kunisada’s competitor Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) designed a similar design in a horizontal perspective:

A man and woman performning mutual masturbation

Mutual masturbation (c.1820s) by Keisai Eisen

Painting of a young couple caressing each other's private parts

Young couple caressing each other’s private parts (early 20th century) by an unknown artist

Click HERE for more shunga art by the most successful ukiyo-e artist of the Edo Period !

About the author
Marijn is the founder of shungagallery.com. With more than 20 years of experience within the sensual and erotic art of shunga he is an authority in the genre. During this time he served many customers with complementing their art collection.
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