Japan: Shunga painting from 'The Album of Sodomy Love' by Furuyama Moroshige (fl. late 17th century), c. 1695. Shunga (春画) or 'Spring Pictures' is a Japanese term for erotic art. Most shunga are a type of ukiyo-e, usually executed in woodblock print format. While rare, there are extant erotic painted handscrolls which predate the ukiyo-e movement. Translated literally, the Japanese word shunga means picture of spring; 'spring' is a common euphemism for sex. The ukiyo-e movement as a whole sought to express an idealisation of contemporary urban life and appeal to the new chonin class.

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Size: 4900px × 3606px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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