Tin Nhanh Sai Gon

In a previous article, we introduced to you Kuniyoshi

Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) famous for his Suikoden Heroes series was also gifted at representing erotic imagery. He is responsible for designing some of the boldest examples in subject and form. The Kuniyoshi prints for..

‘s Hana goyomi

Among the most famous erotic works by the great ukiyo-e artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) is the hanshibon -sized illustrated book series Hana-goyomi (Flower Calendar) , that was issued in 1835. ‘Hidden..

series including all its designs and today you are going to get to know another important shunga

 work by the artist that goes by the title of Hana ikada (Flowers with Abundant Benefits, aka. Flower Raft).

Fig.1. Book cover of Hana ikda (Flowers with Abundant Benefits, aka. Flower Raft). (1835)

Powerful Depictions

Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Although I dived deep into my shunga library (which lacks very few books on the subject) and also thoroughly researched the internet about the ehon (book) below, I unfortunately could not find much background..

(1797-1861) is considered as one of the four leading ukiyo-e artists of the late edo period, alongside Hokusai

Japanese greatest artist in history Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) excelled in all ukiyo-e genres. He produced his most iconic designs in the landscape ( The Great Wave ) and the shunga ( The Dream of the..

(1760-1849), Kunisada

Below you can check out the sensual images of a rare complete book series by Utagawa Kunisada. The title is ‘ Aki no Nanakusa (The Seven Flowers of Autumn)’  and the year of production is 1832. Size (book..

(1786-1865) and Hiroshige (1797-1858). Whereas Kunisada and Hiroshige dominated the market for actor prints (kabuki

A non- shunga scene taking place in a Kabuki theatre. The upper section represents the more expensive seats in boxes that are located slightly higher than the central stage. In the foreground, the audience is..

-e) and landscape prints respectively, Kuniyoshi was renowned for his powerful depictions of legendary warriors.

Thirty-three Books

He also produced numerous designs of comic subjects, and was versed at misleading the censorship regulations at the time. Like Kunisada, Kuniyoshi was also prolific in his illustrations for erotic novels, designing an estimated total of some thirty-three books over three decades.

Cats

Well known as a cat

In the majority of cases the sexual act depicted in shunga take place in the bedroom, either in a private house, an inn or a brothel. But there is also a great diversity of locations. Sex While Cooking For example,..

-lover, Kuniyoshi created numerous prints that feature cats or include them in the background. In his erotica, too, he included a cat washing or snoozing as its owners indulge in amorous pursuits, providing a sign of domesticity as well as a token of his own high regard for these animals. The cats so featured were most likely drawn from his own beloved pets, in particular the white Japanese Bobtail with large black spots.

Absent

Contrary to the previous comments, the cats are almost completely absent (only in this design that also appears in Hana-goyomi) in his work Hana ikada that was published in three volumes in 1836. The four-page text with which it opens and the commentaries within the pictures were supplied by Koshoku Gaishi (also known as Hanagasa Bunkyo) and Adano Sanjin (an as yet unidentified author).

Cat-yoshi

The artist’s name is not given explicitly, but signatures seen on screen paintings within the pictures read ‘Ichimyokai Nekoyoshi’, one of Kuniyoshi’s favored pseudonyms for erotica. The name sounds like a genuine artist’s pen name, but in fact means ‘Feline-owning Cat-yoshi’, attesting to his unbounded love for these animals.

Straining Bodies

The illustrations are printed with opulent colors, and the settings are richly furnished. Much of the love-making is filled with energy and urgency, the bodies straining against each other.

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