Earlier this month I discovered (and obtained) three large shunga paintings on silk from the early 20th century that I didn’t want to keep from you. They depict mesmerizing scenes starring a disfigured yokai (ghost) seducing a wicked drunkard, a Westerner involved in a secret love affair with a Japanese geisha, and two gay Noh performers engaged in a battle.
Fig.1.
Grubby Vagrant
In a misty ominous setting under a plum blossom tree we witness the passionate encounter of a grubby vagrant engaged in a passionate encounter with a female yokai (ghost) under a cherry blossom tree (Fig.1). He pushes her head towards him in order to kiss her while he caresses her private parts with his foot. The man’s drunkenness (his twitching eyelid, the underwear on his head and the empty sake jars surrounding him) is aptly captured by the artist.
Fig.2.
Ghost’s Legs
A funny detail are the street dogs that feast on the man’s leftovers (Fig.4). The body hair of the man and the scars on the back of the ghost’s legs and face are beautifully executed. The macabre sensuality is on par with the best of Kobayashi Eitaku (1843-1890).
Fig.3.
Tree Spirit
The female figure is the spirit of the Komachi cherry tree, Kurozome. An evil man plans to builds a shrine and approaches an old tree for its wood. The spirit of the cherry tree appears as a courtesan. She needs no legs. He brags about his plans and wants to cut down the tree. Before he can raise his axe, she changes into a cherry branch and hits him. The painting is pretty large and measures 32 3/4 x 83 3/4 cm (13″ x 33″ inches).
Fig.4.
Fig.5.
Fig.5a.
Dimly Lit
This outstanding piece depicts a phenomenal scene of an ardent encounter in a dimly lit room between a Western man and a Japanese geisha. The sparse light comes from the only burning candle in the hallway.
