Unique Shunga Ink Scroll Displaying a Mysterious Ghostly Visitor
21 november 2019 
6 min. read

Unique Shunga Ink Scroll Displaying a Mysterious Ghostly Visitor

At an auction I came across this rare and fascinating scroll with ink paintings that was produced in the late 19th century. The hand-painted color ink paintings are depicted with light ink, and the expressions and movements of the characters are very realistic.

Great Eye for Detail

It’s my impression that the mysterious shadow figures are sensual dream fantasies of the involved female. The artist has a great eye for detail as can be seen in the striking facial expressions and hand gestures.

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A shadowy ghost-like figure is penetrating a female while caressing one of her breasts. She has pulled her sleeve over her face in a state of supreme delight. Striking is that his genitals are “human”.’

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A lascivious female (look at her facial expression!) is stroking her private parts while thinking about a giant phallus

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Detail of the lewd female

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A completely sexually saturated woman with clenched fist watches a shadowy figure (its right foot is still visible)

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Couple in the legs-on-shoulder position, aka the rock ‘n’ roller or The Plow. I read somewhere that this pose is recommended for the winter months (Sorry this info is a little of topic!)

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Detail of the nipple sucking

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Penetration close-up

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An enigmatic hand grabs her by the collar of her kimono exposing her nude lower torso


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Subtle image with a woman on a giant bed. The kimono hanging loosely around her shoulder betrays an intimate history

Recently we came across information regarding this scroll with a complete explanation (and translation of the accompanied text!) revealing all mysteries. In our Premium section you can get access to all these secrets!

The style of the paintings reminds me of another unknown shunga artist whom I discussed in an earlier post…!!

Do you share my interpretation that these are dream fantasies or do you have a different opinion? You can let us know your thoughts in the comment box below…!!

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.
JB
By

JB

on 22 Nov 2019

Beautiful scroll indeed! Other than the finished image of the male character, all others are either a dream or a depiction of that falling asleep state where one is aware of but not fully of one's surroundings. She longs for her lover, hears the sound of his footsteps approaching, is "pulled" into the dream, in her half-asleep state, in total abandonment, she receives him, now he is there, they love each other, he leaves... she wonders, "Was he really here? Was he ever here? Or I so longed for his touch, his embrace, for him to take me, that I came to him!" Maybe the only ever shunga series of images representing a wet dream? Very nice indeed!

Marijn
By

Marijn

on 22 Nov 2019

Thanks a lot for your interesting observations JB. Your possible "wet dream" interpretation is refreshing....!

David S.
By

David S.

on 22 Nov 2019

It looks to me that the artist was influenced by Freud's Die Traumdeutung in which he wrote freely about things like masturbating and lustful thoughts.

Marijn
By

Marijn

on 22 Nov 2019

Interesting ... yes, that could very well be because that book had been around for a while.(1899)

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