A rare set of oblong sleeve shunga booklets attributed to Utagawa Kunimori (act. ca.1818-1843). The rabbit figures depicted on the book covers refer to the Year of the Rabbit (c.1843) according to the Chinese zodiac sign date.
Various Locations
The twelve color illustrated pages feature sensual couples on various locations. The books are printed with great care and detail such as excellent use of gold pigments.
Sleeve of the Kimono
The B&W illustrations feature some striking close-ups including sex toys. These kind of booklets were issued only in small editions. They were easy to carry around in the sleeve of the kimono.
‘Two closed sleeve shunga booklets‘ (c.1840) attributed to Utagawa Kunimori (act. ca.1818-1843)
‘Oiran and client groping each other’s genitals‘ (c.1843)
‘Couple making love on a pleasure boat observed by an aroused older male‘ (c.1843)
‘Passionate encounter in the open-air near a stone lantern (tōrō) ‘ (c.1843)
‘A Japanese beauty is drying her face. On the right a bowl with tassel on top surrounded by the beloved Japanese morning glory* – flower ‘ (c.1843)
‘A secretive couple have interrupted their dinner and are now involved in the introductory acts for love-making during a spring afternoon‘ (c.1843)
‘A male is suckling one of the nipples of his spouse. Her curled toes are an indication of her pleasure ‘ (c.1843)
‘In an unlit room (the candle has blown out!) a male is penetrating his lover from the rear‘ (c.1843)
‘A sensual couple on the top floor of a brothel in the moonlight‘ (c.1843)
‘A colorful scene with the couple almost completely covered by their clothing and garments. The fallen geisha pilow (takamakura) emphasizes their passion‘ (c.1843)
‘An enticing image of a geisha wiping the sake from the corners of her mouth while watching the silhouettes of a procession in the streets at night‘ (c.1843)
‘A couple passionately kissing. The dislodged hair-pin is a nice detail‘ (c.1843)
‘A voracious nude couple is passionately making love underneath a mosquito-netting‘ (c.1843)
The books also include some amusing B&W illustration of close-up genitalia, faces and sex toys…
Unfortunately the set has been sold already..!
Click HERE for another charming sleeve book set…!!
* Japanese morning glory (Ipomoea nil) are traditional garden plants that are fashionable in Japan
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