Shunga, Husband and Wife is a painting by Kikugawa Eizan which was uploaded on April 2nd, 2020.
Shunga, Husband and Wife
Kikukawa Eizan (菊川 英山, 1787-July 17, 1867) was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints.... more
Title
Shunga, Husband and Wife
Artist
Kikugawa Eizan
Medium
Painting - Oil On Canvas
Description
Kikukawa Eizan (菊川 英山, 1787-July 17, 1867) was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints.
Shunga (春画) 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 ukiyo-e. Translated literally, the Japanese word shunga means picture of spring; "spring" is a common euphemism for sex.
The lovers lock eyes, he holds a folding fan and she holds folded tissues (onkotogami). At left is a lantern decorated with flowers and at right is a cabinet with books and scrolls. They are comfortable enough with each other to banter while making love. She discusses a jojuri (chanting) lyric which contrasts with her own apparent confidence: “’Embarrassed, the hand clasped underneath the pillow' is a good lyric." He quibbles: "This isn't the sort of place to quote jojuri. We're in the middle of a big commotion here." The poem on the fan reads: In the mid-air A little cuckoo crosses, calling- Heralding the end of spring And the poem on the lantern reads: Whoever you are Let me show you The lantern on the eave.
Uploaded
April 2nd, 2020