Ukiyo-E Visual Analysis
During the Edo period, there was a rise in well known art form of ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Ukiyo-e which means ‘images from the floating world’ would often depict numerous subjects, ranging from images of from everyday life and nature, courtesans, kabuki theatre performers, to scenes in popular stories or plays. There is a sub genre of ukiyo-e prints with a more ambiguous history, known as Shunga.
Shunga means ‘spring pictures’ and carries a more explicitly erotic nature of the technique. Aside from the obvious reasons why someone would want to purchase a shunga print, the reasons behind patrons commissioning for artists to produce them (which most well-known artists from the Edo period, including Utamaro and Hokusai, have produced shunga …show more content…
Najimi means ‘intimacy’. At the time, it was common for Buddhist priests to engage in relationships with acolytes or other male lovers. An acolyte was an attendant or apprentice often involved with religious practices. During the Edo period, Buddhist monks often engaged in sexual and romantic relationships with young acolytes. This was not exclusive to priests, as samurai often had relationships with young acolytes/apprentices as well. The passionate encounter between the preist and young man in figure 2 is emphasized by the red kukuri makura (stuffed roll pillow) which has fallen off the …show more content…
Given the harem-like, women exclusive environment, they are likely just having sex to provide sexual relief, rather than because they are in a romantic relationship. These tie on dildos could also be attached to a woman's ankle for solo masturbation.
Fig. 5 ‘Sea Cucumber’ by Hokusai (ca. 1810s)
Hokusai’s print, titled ‘Sea Cucumber’ however, does depict a lesbian couple in a relationship. Given the ocean waves in the background, as well as the use of a sea cucumber as a phallus, it is safe to assume that the women were Ama, female divers known for collecting pearls. Hokusai often illustrated these women as subjects for his erotic prints, including his other print, ‘The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife’ (seen in Fig. 6)
Fig. 6 ‘The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife’ by Hokusai
It’s also worth noting the large size of both male and female genitalia featured in full view and the complicated positions these couples are in. This was meant to maximize the view of the sexual act taking place in the work, as well as arouse the
Shunga means ‘spring pictures’ and carries a more explicitly erotic nature of the technique. Aside from the obvious reasons why someone would want to purchase a shunga print, the reasons behind patrons commissioning for artists to produce them (which most well-known artists from the Edo period, including Utamaro and Hokusai, have produced shunga …show more content…
Najimi means ‘intimacy’. At the time, it was common for Buddhist priests to engage in relationships with acolytes or other male lovers. An acolyte was an attendant or apprentice often involved with religious practices. During the Edo period, Buddhist monks often engaged in sexual and romantic relationships with young acolytes. This was not exclusive to priests, as samurai often had relationships with young acolytes/apprentices as well. The passionate encounter between the preist and young man in figure 2 is emphasized by the red kukuri makura (stuffed roll pillow) which has fallen off the …show more content…
Given the harem-like, women exclusive environment, they are likely just having sex to provide sexual relief, rather than because they are in a romantic relationship. These tie on dildos could also be attached to a woman's ankle for solo masturbation.
Fig. 5 ‘Sea Cucumber’ by Hokusai (ca. 1810s)
Hokusai’s print, titled ‘Sea Cucumber’ however, does depict a lesbian couple in a relationship. Given the ocean waves in the background, as well as the use of a sea cucumber as a phallus, it is safe to assume that the women were Ama, female divers known for collecting pearls. Hokusai often illustrated these women as subjects for his erotic prints, including his other print, ‘The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife’ (seen in Fig. 6)
Fig. 6 ‘The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife’ by Hokusai
It’s also worth noting the large size of both male and female genitalia featured in full view and the complicated positions these couples are in. This was meant to maximize the view of the sexual act taking place in the work, as well as arouse the