A Rare Ascetic Shunga Album From the Taisho Era
12 juli 2019 
9 min. read

A Rare Ascetic Shunga Album From the Taisho Era

The Taisho era (1912-1926) artist who designed this shunga album was clearly influenced by 19th century masters such as Kuniyoshi, Kunisada and Hokusai. He (most probably not a she*) mimics the postures of the participants and settings of these old masters and places them in ascetic environments with a minimal amount of attributes.

shunga album

Shunga album cover’ (Taisho era – c.1920)

A passionate encounter of a married couple sitting on the veranda

A passionate encounter of a married couple sitting on the veranda. The shoes (geta) of the woman lay on the stone step (c.1920) by an unidentified Taisho artist

A female, leaning her head on her arm,  is making love to her spouse. Next to them stands a bowl with Japanese irises

A female, leaning her head on her arm,  is making love to her spouse. Next to them stands a bowl with Japanese irises

In the hallway of a brothel an impatient client grabs between the legs of an amused geisha. The candlestick has been blown out and she placed it already on the ground. The door of one of the

In the hallway of a brothel an impatient client grabs between the legs of an amused geisha. The candlestick has been blown out and she placed it already on the ground. The door of one of the “love rooms” is ajar and one can see a glimpse of the sensuality taking place’

shunga album including 'A cozy encounter between sensuous spouses. - geisha pillow

A cozy encounter between sensuous spouses. The fallen geisha pillow underlines their sensuality

shunga album: sewing activities - making love to her husband - a cuckoo during the flight

A woman has interrupted her sewing activities and is now making love to her faceless husband. On the screen in the background is a print with a cuckoo during the flight

An impatient male no longer can suppress his arousal and forces himself upon his spouse. His excitement is most probably inspired by the shunga books lying beside them

An impatient male no longer can suppress his arousal and forces himself upon his spouse. His excitement is most probably inspired by the shunga books lying beside them

shunga album: 'A servant - sensual geisha and a client. - plate with eggs'

A servant observes the sensual exchange of a geisha and a client. Next to them stands a plate with eggs

aroused female spying - hole in the sliding door - passionate rendezvous - underneath a mosquito-netting

An aroused female spying through a hole in the sliding door is watching a passionate rendezvous of a couple underneath a mosquito-netting in the other room

'A squatting lady in the garden - pleasuring herself - laundry - two dogs on the street - perform doggy-style.'

A squatting lady in the garden is pleasuring herself during the laundry. At the same time two dogs on the street perform doggy-style. Who inspired whom?

shunga album: spying masturbating voyeur

A young woman playing with herself is looking through a broken hole in the window at a sensual couple making love in the garden (see next image!)

female voyeur observing a couple having sex in the garden

As announced in the previous image a female voyeur, her face slightly visible on the right, secretly follows the activities in the garden. The aroused female outside embraces the fence

Click HERE and discover more exciting articles on shunga art from the same era…!!

*females rarely designed shunga

If you have any suggestions for future articles don’t hesitate to leave your advice 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.
Darya
By

Darya

on 02 Mar 2020

Grateful attitude to old masterpieces is obvious. I love the spirit of classic shunga in this album! Speaking of a woman and two copulating dogs, I've seen at least two more prints, where characters were aroused by the sight of copulating animals. The first one is a boy watching turtles and the second one is a woman watching two copulating cats by Hidenobu from his "Ehon haru no yume' series.

Marijn
By

Marijn

on 02 Mar 2020

Thanks Darya, it would be great if you have an image of Hidenobu's "copulating cats"!

Place comment

Secrets revealed of an erotic art genius Find out in our free E-Book