10 Shunga Gems By an Important Member of the Utagawa School
17 oktober 2019 
9 min. read

10 Shunga Gems By an Important Member of the Utagawa School

Although the set of koban-sized prints below is incomplete (it lacks two designs and the presentation folder) it is still appealing due to the charming designs and proficient printing techniques such as karazuri (blind printing or gauffrage), and gold and silver pigments. The artist is unknown but must be a prominent member of the Utagawa school (could be Kunisada).

Impromptu intimate encounter at a staircase by Utagawa school

Impromptu encounter at the bottom of a staircase.‘ by Utagawa school (c.1850)

Utagawa school design with passionate encounter and a heron standing on a snowy branch enhances the sensual atmosphere

A harmonious composition with two lovers (both with closed eyes) who merge completely. The heron standing on a snowy branch enhances the sensual atmosphere of the scene.’ (c.1850)

A dominant male with a determined expression on his face is tongue-kissing a young courtesan while resting his head on a taka-makura (geisha pillow). They just finished their love-making (look for the tissue behind the legs of the girl) but he maintained his erection. They are watched from underneath the blanket by a young male attendant

A dominant male with a determined expression on his face is tongue-kissing a young courtesan while resting his head on a takamakura (geisha pillow). They just finished their love-making (look for the tissue behind the legs of the girl) but he maintained his erection. They are watched from underneath the blanket by a young male attendant.‘ (c.1850)

An impulsive rendezvous of a married couple by Utagawa school

An impulsive rendezvous of a married couple.‘ (c.1850)

A conventional scene with a kissing couple in the missionary pose avoiding the depiction of genitals. Their passion is accentuated by the fallen taka-makura (geisha pillow) in the below left corner by Utagawa school

A conventional scene with a kissing couple in the missionary pose avoiding the depiction of genitals. Their passion is accentuated by the fallen takamakura (geisha pillow) in the below left corner.‘ (c.1850)

A playful scene with a geisha and a client. She is a bit shy and uses the ball she is holding as distraction

Playful scene with a geisha and a client. She is a bit shy and uses the ball she is holding as distraction.‘ (c.1850)

Koban shunga scene with A secret encounter between a geisha and a young male lover by Utagawa school

Secret encounter between a geisha and a young male lover.‘ (c.1850)

Couple in the doggy-style pose. Striking are the thick plumes of smoke and the clawed waves depicted on the back wall by Utagawa school

Couple in the doggy-style pose. Striking are the thick plumes of smoke and the clawed waves depicted on the back wall.’ (c.1850)

At the riverbank on a red blanket. He is a samurai as the handle of the sword in the back indicates. by Utagawa school 

At the riverbank on a red blanket two lovers are enjoying themselves. He is a samurai as the handle of the sword in the back indicates.‘ (c.1850)

Dynamic image with courtiers making love on a pleasure boat with the wild waves visible through the railing in the background. The woman is sporting a spectacular diadem representing a golden dragon by Utagawa school

Dynamic image with courtiers making love on a pleasure boat with the wild waves visible through the railing in the background. The woman is sporting a spectacular diadem representing a Chinese dragon.‘ (c.1850) by Utagawa school

Click HERE for some rare sensual koban designs by the 18th century master Isoda Koryusai….!!

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 09 Feb 2020

All pictures are superb, but the last one I like the most. The diadem makes me speechless. The picture with a heron is also memorable, it has both passion and tenderness.

Marijn
By

Marijn

on 10 Feb 2020

Thanks a lot for your remarks Darya. Yes, the diadem is rather extraordinary

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