Torii KIYONOBU I (1664-1729)
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A large sumi oban showing a couple in flagrante. These prints were normally issued in sets of twelve and would only have had the signature on the first sheet. Published c 1704-1711. Provenance: Ex Kiyoshi Shibui collection.
Very good impression. Slight edge soil and centre fold with small pin holes, but generally good condition considering the age.
Status: Available
Yanagawa SHIGENOBU (1787-1832)
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A European couple in flagrante from a set Yanagi no arashi, “Storm of Willows” published c 1832. This highly unusual shunga print with chiaroscuro modelling is obviously based on imported woodcuts and engravings from Europe. There also exist several other shunga prints showing Dutchmen. See Shunga sex and pleasure in Japanese art, Timothy Clark et al, BM, 2013, no 120, p. 402.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Mica applied to the vulva. The set is unsigned but generally accepted as being by Shigenobu.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 21, 22, 23, and 24 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 9, 20, 18, and 19 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 14, 15, 16, and 17 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 10, 11, 12 and 13 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 5, 6, 7, and 8 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 1, 2, 3, and 4 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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A matron with lover. A shunga sheet from the extremely rare de-luxe edition of the Fukujuso, “The Adonis Plant.” The blocks were re-carved, the text deleted, a mica ground added, and sumptuous hand-colouring applied and was renamed Nami chidori, “Plovers Above the Waves.” This was a costly exercise and was obviously directed at a few wealthy clients. Hokusai’s best shunga set with large figures often completely filling the space. Published c 1820. Another example illustrated in Richard Lane, Hokusai, Life And Work, Barrie & Jenkins, 1989, no. 224, p. 168.
Fine impression. Wonderful fresh carefully hand-applied colour with mica ground. Album backing. Centre fold (as usual) and slight soil to corner. But otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
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A chuban shunga print showing the occupant of a kago in flagrante with one of the porters, having seized the opportunity of a stop on the journey. Published late 1760s. Rare.
Very fine impression on thick hosho: The outlines raised in certain areas. Fine colour and condition.
Status: Sold
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
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A couple in flagrante on an open engawa which has a large bowl of goldfish. There were many attempts by the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868) to suppress shunga with edicts issued in 1661, 1722 and the 1790s. None of these were particularly effective and production usually resumed with most Ukiyo-e artists producing shunga prints, books or paintings. Published c. 1768. Unsigned as often with these shunga prints.
Superb impression. Fine, unfaded colour. Fine condition.
Status: Sold
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
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The Fourth Month, Shibumukute toshimano mumami jukushi kaki, “Well Aged and Ripe Persimmon” from a set of 12 shunga prints Someiro no yama, Neya no hinagata, “Mountains of Dyed Colours, Patterns for the Bedroom.” One of the finest shunga sets; of large size and beautifully hand coloured. Published c. 1740. Others from the set are illustrated in Tim Clark, Shunga: Sex and Pleasure in Japanese Art, BM, 2013, p. 147-151. Masanobu is one of the most important figures in Ukiyo-e being the proprietor of a shop but also a publisher, an illustrator of books, print publisher, painter, and inventor of the hashira-e and uki-e as well as being at the forefront of advancements in colour printing. Rare.
Very good impression, colour and condition.
Status: Sold
Sugimura JIHEI (Acitive c. 1681-1703)
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A shunga print showing a samurai (his swords lying outside the screen) having sexual intercourse with a courtesan from a set of twelve such prints published mid 1680s. Jihei was the most impressive of Moronobu’s followers and seems to have specialised in shunga, often surpassing Moronobu. (Indeed, Jihei’s work was attributed to Moronobu for a long time.) Hand coloured, although probably not from the period but still with considerable age. Extremely rare.
Fine impression. Very good condition.
Status: Sold
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
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A chuban shunga print showing a fisherman taking advantage of a young girl on a boat on the Sumida River. The couple are hidden behind a four-armed scoop-net called a yotsude-ami which was used to catch whitebait in the spring. The British Museum copy (OA+,O.125) gives the location as most probably being at Mitsumata, between Eitai and Shin’o bridges, based on what looks like Lord Tayasu’s residence in the background. Another impression is illustrated in Shunga, Marco Fagioli, Octavo, 1997, no. 23, p.45. Published late 1760s. Rare.
Very good impression. Some slight fading, otherwise good condition.
Status: Sold
Hishikawa MORONOBU (c. 1618-1694)
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The father of Ukiyo-e and the first to design single-sheet prints. Illustrated numerous books and produced a considerable number of paintings. A good proportion of his output was in the form of shunga. The print here is, arguably, from his finest shunga album. A set of 12 prints, although it is known in two versions with two alternative designs making a total of 14 sheets. For one complete set see Shunga The Art Of Love In Japan, Tom and Mary Evans, Paddington Press, 1975, Illus. 5.10-5,21. Rare.
Very good impression. Original hand-colouring. Minor marks and signs of mounting au verso, but otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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One sheet from a shunga set of 12 prints Ehon tsuhi no hinagata, “Patterns of Loving Couples.” Published 1814. The series title is a play on words. Tsuhi can be read as “couple” or “male and female pairs” or it can be pronounced tsubi, an old term for vulva.
Very good impression and colour. Slight soil and the usual slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
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Shogatsu, “First Month” from a shunga set Someiro no yama neya no hinagata, “Mountains of Dyed Colours, Examples for the Bedroom.” Shows a New Year scene with the master of an opulent household enjoying the holiday with his wife and a young man of his fancy. The poem alludes to the pleasures of both male-male and male-female sex. Published c 1740. Others from the set are illustrated in Tim Clark, Shunga:Sex and Pleasure in Japanese Art, BM, 2013, pp. 147-151. Masanobu is one of the most important figures in Ukiyo-e being the proprietor of a shop but also a publisher, an illustrator of books, print publisher, painter, and inventor of the hashira-e and uki-e as well as being at the forefront of advancements in colour printing. Rare.
Fine impression. Hand colouring, slightly faded. Minor backed wormage, but otherwise very good condition given the date.
Status: Sold
Attributed to Torii KIYONOBU II (Active 1710s – 1760)
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A sumizuri-e abuna-e sheet from a shunga set published c. late 1710s. MFA has 10 sheets from the set , RES.09.310.1 to .10. They are based on designs by his father, Torii Kiyonobu I.
Fine impression. Fine hand-colouring. Backed (from a scroll), some light soil and minor creasing, all appropriate with date.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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One sheet from a shunga set of 12 prints Ehon tsuhi no hinagata, “Patterns of Loving Couples.” Published 1814. The series title is a play on words. Tsuhi can be read as “couple” or “male and female pairs” or it can be pronounced tsubi, an old term for vulva.
Very good impression and colour. Slight soil and the usual slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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A pair of lovers from the set Keisei higo “The Secret Language of Courtesans.” This fine set of abuna-e (shunga prints that omit any explicit sex – quite literally “risky pictures”) was privately published c 1822-5. The pre-coital coupling is indicated by the wad of tissue slipped into her obi.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. This set employs brass into the printing which is often the cause of the paper degrading and falling out. (Not evident here.) Unsigned as always.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An original Kunisada shunga drawing showing a couple having sexual congress. Most likely a preliminary design for a koban print. Sumi on thin Japanese paper lightly attached at edges to an album leaf, 5.25 x 7.25 in, 13.5 x 18.5 cms. Probably intended to be printed four-to-a-sheet. A very good quality drawing, unlike the many poor unattributed examples available.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An original Kunisada shunga drawing showing an old man ravishing a young woman. Most likely a preliminary design for a koban print. Sumi on thin Japanese paper lightly attached at edges to an album leaf, 5.25 x 7.25 in, 13.5 x 18.5 cms. Probably intended to be printed four-to-a-sheet. A very good quality drawing, unlike the many poor unattributed examples available.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An original Kunisada shunga drawing showing an old man ravishing a young woman. Most likely a preliminary design for a koban print. Sumi on thin Japanese paper lightly attached at edges to an album leaf, 5.25 x 7.25 in, 13.5 x 18.5 cms. Probably intended to be printed four-to-a-sheet A very good quality drawing, unlike the many poor unattributed examples available.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka SETTEI (1710-1786)
Four original paintings on silk. An artist who developed a style somewhere between Moronobu and Sukenobu. Well known for his elegant erotica painted with great refinement. Sizes vary from 3.25 in; 5.5 cms. x 12.75 in; 32.5 cms. to 3.25 in; 5.5 cms. x 11.5 in; 29 cms. Full colour and obviously taken from a hand scroll of 12 such paintings. Mounted onto gold-flecked paper. Unsigned.
Status: Sold
Sugimura JIHEI (Fl. c. 1680-1698)
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The most prolific of Moronobu’s pupils and was originally confused with him, but now properly identified as a separate artist. Produced some of the finest erotic designs. A couple in flagrante beneath a sumptuous duvet. Published c. mid 1680’s.
A large oban ( 11in; 27cms x 14.5in; 36.75cms ).
Good impression. Some restorations but generally good condition. Partially hand-coloured. Unsigned ( as usual ).
Status: Sold
Hishikawa MOROSHIGE (active c. 1684-1695)
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A shunga print by the best of Moronobu’s direct pupils, who produced some of the finest designs in this genre. Shows a couple prior to coitus. Published c. mid 1680s.
Very good impression. Very slight soil and weakening along laid lines, but otherwise very good condition. Unsigned.
Status: Sold
Hishikawa MOROSHIGE (active c. 1684-1695)
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A shunga print by the best of Moronobu’s direct pupils, who produced some of the finest designs in this genre. Shows a couple prior to coitus being approached by an attendant. Published c. mid 1680s.
Very good impression. Very slight soil and weakening along laid lines, but otherwise very good condition. Unsigned.
Status: Sold
Hishikawa MOROSHIGE (active c. 1684-1695)
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A shunga print by the best of Moronobu’s direct pupils, who produced some of the finest designs in this genre. Shows a couple in flagrante aided by an attendant. Published c. mid 1680s.
Very good impression. Very slight soil and weakening along laid lines, but otherwise very good condition. Unsigned.
Status: Sold
Hishikawa MOROSHIGE (active c. 1684-1695)
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A shunga print by the best of Moronobu’s direct pupils, who produced some of the finest designs in this genre. Shows a couple in flagrante, the huge duvet slipping off their bodies. Published c. mid 1680s.
Very good impression. Very slight soil and weakening along laid lines, but otherwise very good condition. Unsigned.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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An amorous couple on a balcony with a large full moon. One of the three best designs from a set of twelve prints: Keisei higo, “Secret Words of a Courtesan” published c 1822-25. Although the set comes under the shunga heading, each print is an abuna-e design, without any graphic detail. Fine composition.
Fine impression and colour. Laid onto board from the original album. Small wormage and slight centre fold ( as usual ), otherwise good condition.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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A winter scene with an amorous couple in a boat keeping warm beneath a huge duvet. One of the three best designs from a set of twelve prints: Keisei higo, “Secret Words of a Courtesan” published c 1822-25. Although the set comes under the shunga heading, each print is an abuna-e design, without any graphic detail.
Fine impression and colour. Laid onto board from the original album. Small wormage and slight centre fold ( as usual ), otherwise good condition.
Status: Sold
Okumura MASANOBU (c.1686-1764)
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A major artist attributed with the invention of the hashira-e and uki-e and who may have been the first to change from hand colouring to colour printing. Tera no kashi, “Sweets From a Temple” from Masanobu’s most highly regarded shunga set: Someiro no yama neya no hinagata, “Mountains of Dyed Colours, Examples of Bedrooms.” Published c. 1735. Sub-title: Sato Kosho sai, Kichisaburo. Shows a young monk copulating with a beauty in the vicinity of a temple. Hence the punning title. Four other illustrations from this set illustrated in Shunga, Tom and Mary Evans, 1975, 5.64 – 5.67. Extremely rare.
Very good impression. Careful contemporary hand colouring ( as all prints for this series ). The red pigment with gum added. Centre fold ( as per usual ) with repair at top edge. Slight soil, otherwise very good condition for this period. Unsigned.
Status: Sold
OSAKA SCHOOL (c.1830)
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A complete set of twelve oban shunga prints. Printed with sumi outline blocks only, omitting the colour blocks and coloured by hand instead. Extensive details hand applied and with grey mica grounds and other areas with mica. This set was either a special one-off commission for a valued client or one set of a deluxe edition for clients who were willing to pay considerably more than for the printed version: It obviously took much longer to colour by hand. There are other examples of this in ukiyoe with prints and books. For an illustration of one design from the printed commercial edition see: Shunga, Marco Fagioli, Musee d’Ixelles – Museum van Elsene, 1989, cat. 84, p. 128. Probably unrecorded. Six prints ( of twelve ) illustrated.
Centre folds ( as per usual ). Some soil and edge damage on one or two designs. Unsigned.
Status: Sold
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
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A pair of lovers. Obviously one sheet from a shunga album. A sumizuri-e print with careful hand-colouring. Although possibly not contemporary the colouring certainly has considerable age. Published c 1710s.
Very good impression. Slight offsetting of sumi and other minor soil and backed wormholes. Centre fold.
Status: Sold
Unsigned Shunga (Attributed to Utagawa KUMINAO)
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Three volumes complete. Shunkei otogi bunko, “Erotic Bedrooms, A Collection of Fairy Tales”. Original covers and title slips. Published circa early 1850s.
Very fine impressions and colour, very good condition.
Status: Sold
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Unsigned Shunga (Attributed to Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI)
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Three volumes complete. Shunshoku koi no kakehashi, “A Bridge of Love”. Original covers and title slips. Published circa late 1840s.
Very fine impressions and colour, very good condition.
Status: Sold
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Unsigned Shunga (Attributed to Keisai EISEN)
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Three volumes complete. Koi murasaki, “Purple Love”. Original covers and title slips. Published circa early 1840s.
Very fine impressions and colour, one wormhole on one volume, otherwise very good condition throughout.
Status: Sold
Isoda KORYUSAI (fl.c.1764-1788)
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Two complete koban sets of twelve prints each showing loving couples. Two double pages shown from each album.
Minor soil and one stain, but otherwise very good impression, colour and condition.
Status: Sold
