Nanshoku Art: The Sensual Moment of a Gay Samurai and a Young Boy

A middle-aged samurai sharing an intimate moment with a young boy in an interior setting. As I mentioned in earlier posts homosexuality was not uncommon in Japan and depictions of this ‘male-male intercourse’ (nanshoku) occured regularly in shunga as well. Like the many girls in the pleasure quarters, boys could also be bought for sex.

‘Gay encounter between a samurai and an adolescent boy‘ (c.1770-71) from an untitled series by Isoda Koryusai

Wisteria

The sliding doors facing the veranda are open, and a pine tree and wisteria can be seen in the garden, as can a hollow tree trunk which serves as water basin. The presence of wisteria is an indication of spring. A low writing table with books and a small flower arrangement on it have been included in the background, with the man’s sword in the background.

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Source:  ‘Japanese erotic prints: Shunga by Harunobu & Koryusai‘ by Inge Klompmakers