![An Aroused Couple in the Act of Mutual Masturbation](https://media-01.imu.nl/storage/shungagallery.com/2236/wp/0-16.jpg)
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](https://shungagallery.com/wp/../wp-content/upload_folders/shungagallery.com/0-13.jpg)
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](https://shungagallery.com/wp/../wp-content/upload_folders/shungagallery.com/0-14.jpg)
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](https://shungagallery.com/wp/../wp-content/upload_folders/shungagallery.com/s-l160039094528.jpg)
Mutual masturbation (c.1820s) by Keisai Eisen
![Painting of a young couple caressing each other's private parts](https://shungagallery.com/wp/../wp-content/upload_folders/shungagallery.com/s-l16003909450999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999.jpg)
Young couple caressing each other’s private parts (early 20th century) by an unknown artist
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