Japanese Shunga-Pillow Book.

n.p. c.1830-1850. The First Edition. Illustrated by extremely graphic, erotic woodblocks on 19 double leaves, 11 of them in colour on both sides, the remainder in line blocks. Much explanatory text. Scans appearing online are the only graphic content of this Shunga we are able to display. The remaining images are far more erotically detailed and unsuitable for public viewing. Oblong 12mo. Bound in covered, stitched wrappers.

Shunga are erotic Japanese prints. Shunga literally means "springtime pictures". Shunga prints were produced and sold either as single sheets or in book form called enpon. The images on Japanese Shunga prints are sexually explicit. These books were bought for several reasons. One was certainly for the fun of viewing sexually stimulating erotic images. It served also for the education of young men and women. It was a tradition of a high-standing feudal lord brought a collection of Shunga prints together with their wedding furniture. These were often utilized to instruct the virginal bride in what to expect on the wedding night. This copy is a superior example of mid-nineteenth century Shunga.

Modest soiling and wear. A Very Good bright copy.

Item #8604