I am always thrilled and amazed when I come across a new rare shunga gem that I have never seen before. In my experience that is one of the true pleasures of being an art dealer. Similar to the pleasure that the collector experiences. The piece treated in this post is such an example.
‘Huge orgy in a straight bathhouse‘ (c.1850) by Utagawa school (Private collection)
Straight Bathhouse
This extraordinary shikake-e portrays a mass gathering in a straight bathhouse of seventeen nude and excited females and one man in a tub. The included puppet can be moved over the surface and his erected penis can be inserted into the vaginas due to the slits in the paper.
Complicated Assignments
It was produced around 1850. The artist is unknown but these kind of complicated assignments were only executed by the important members of a school (in this case the Utagawa school). Size is 7 1/4″ x 14 1/2″ inches. Very nice state overall with only minor marks and flaws. The accompanying puppet is professionally repaired.
You can click HERE for more exciting content that explores other sensual bathhouse adventures…!!
