If you think that Japanese erotic art is just modern hentai, get ready for a fascinating trip to the past. Shunga, which literally translates to “spring pictures”, is an art form that flourished in Japan during the 17th century, in the Edo era. 

Let’s explore this sensual journey through surprising (and quite eccentric) images that reveal not only the provocative nature of  shunga , but also its rich history and influences.

1. Ukiyo-e: the floating world of art

Two lovers in a bathtub in an art from 1790. (Source: All That’s Interesting/ Reproduction)

At the heart of  shunga  is the artistic style known as  ukiyo-e , which means “pictures of the floating world.” Artists from this period portrayed urban life, from kabuki actors (a type of Japanese theater) to lush landscapes. But what makes ukiyo-e really special is its foray into the erotic. 

Contrary to what happened in European art, sex in Japanese art was also related to religion and heroic deeds. The artists’ imaginations ran wild, providing some of the most iconic and unabashedly sensual works in the history of Japanese art.

2.  Shunga : an art for all classes

Couple has sex on the beach in a work by painter Terasaki Kogyo, made in 1899. (Source: All That’s Interesting/ Reproduction)

In the 17th century, the advent of woodcuts democratized access to  shunga . From peasants to monarchs, everyone could appreciate this art form. Traveling libraries took  shunga  to rural areas, while samurai carried the images into battle as good luck charms. Even newlyweds received art as a gift.

An official ban in 1722 by the Japanese shogunate would not halt production or demand, marking  shunga  as a resilient and challenging cultural phenomenon.

3. The anonymous artists and the dream of the fisherman’s wife

The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife: one of the greatest works by artist Katsushika Hokusai, made in 1814. (Source: Japan Objects/ Reproduction)

The ban did not stop artists from creating  shunga ; in fact, many ukiyo-e artists delved into the genre anonymously. A notable example is Katsushika Hokusai, the master behind the famous “The Great Wave of Kanagawa”. 

His most audacious work,  The Fisherman’s Wife’s Dream , depicts sexual acts with octopuses. This peculiar piece and 2,000 other individual  shunga  works have become lasting influences, even on Western artists such as Picasso and Toulouse-Lautrec.

4. Humor and normalization: the essence of  shunga

Japanese soldier dominates (in many ways) a Russian soldier. (Source: All That’s Interesting/ Reproduction)

While nudity was desexualized in Japan for centuries,  shunga  sought to normalize sex. By exaggerating genital depictions and adopting a humorous approach, artists were able to provoke, amuse, and even satirize during the Russo-Japanese War. 

Shunga  was  not just about sexual arousal, but a reflection of an era and culture that viewed sex uninhibitedly.

5.  Shunga  beyond time: lasting influences

Octopus makes love to mermaid (!). (Source: All That’s Interesting/ Reproduction)

Even after shunga  ‘s decline  in the 19th and 20th centuries, its impact persists in modern Japanese erotic art. Themes and fantasies introduced by ukiyo-e artists still resonate in contemporary forms known in the West as hentai.

Therefore, do not underestimate  shunga  as mere obscenity; it is a vital chapter in Japanese history, challenging norms and conveying a unique view on sexuality.