Utagawa-Kunisada.Genji. Shunga. p2532-p2551.

Kunisada’s Shunga Masterwork ‘Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji ( A Prudently Devoted Genji )’, portrayal of the erotic escapades of the third Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu during the Muromachi era.

“...there is no doubt that this book was a private edition for a daimyõ. In the imperfect impressions that were diverted to more plebeian hands, there are some lapses in the printing, but the first impression of the private editon was so lavish that mother-of-pearl was used in priinting the maki-e lacquer of the sugoroku board (a game similar to Parcheesi), the letter boxes, and the footed tray holding books or writing implements. Among nishiki-e in general, even more so in the many shunga books of the Edo period, it achieve the ultimate as a gorgeous work of art.

...even the less perfect copies that reached the ublic are a magnificent example that transcends the conventional limits of the carver’s and printer’s arts. The polychrome pages more than live up to their name: they are printed from dozens of blocks. The use of gold, silver, graded color printing, gauffrage, embossing from the reverse side, and lacquer, “gold dust” or powdered mica further enhances this deluxe production. One can only wonder that such a shunga book could have been a viable commercial product.

Unfortunately, it was a work of Kunisada’s late period and is rather lacking in the eroticism it deserves. When Kunisada assumed the name Toyokuni III, he was already 59 years old. When the Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji appeared, he was probably in his mid sixties. While the work does not carry a hidden Toyokuni III signature, I believe we should regard this work as literally the grand finale in Kunisada’s career as a shunga artist.” (review excerpts from Yoshikazu Hayashi and Richard Lane’s The Complete Ukiyo-e Shunga , Part 19)

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Samurai In The Open Air –

Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865). Date: 1851 (Kaei 4).
Obon size: 13 2/5” x 9 3/4” inches. Excellent impression, fine color and near fine condition.
Minor marks and flaws only.

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“A truly superb design with the hero Yoshimitsu in samurai outfit having intercourse in the forest at night. On the tree stump lay a candlestick and an axe. The black teeth (ohaguro) indicates that she is a (married) noblewoman.”

The masterpiece of the series and a design that has been copied numerous times after its release by many pupils of the Utagawa school !

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Adolescent And Three Ladies –

Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“An adolescent male (a young Yoshimitsu) is assaulted by three excited noblewomen. In all the consternation a giant folding screen featuring a ricksah has fallen down.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Dogs In Rain – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“Yoshimitsu walks in the rain with a lover while holding a cane carpet to avoid getting wet.
They are followed by three excited dogs.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Herons On Black Kimono –

Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“The hero Yoshimitsu is making love to one of his numerous lovers. He is wearing a beautiful black kimono featuring snowy twigs and white herons in flight. In the meantime his lover is looking at a shungabook for inspiration.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – From Behind – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“An insatiable (look for the crumpled tissues!) Yoshimitsu is making love to his lover from behind.
Both participants have their eyes closed emphasizing their ecstatic pleasure.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Drinking Sake – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“A woman riding on top of her lover (the hero Yoshimitsu) is pouring sake into his cup from a flacon while affectionately holding on to his neck. The blanket near them on the right depicts dragons in a circle shaped form and the gold-lacquered folding screen behind them features a titmouse on a twig and and cherry blossoms in bloom.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Candle – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“During the act of love the famous shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is holding a candlestick to his lover to inspect her state of excitement. The folding screen behind them on the left features an aristocratic man on a horse and a young servant crossing a stream.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Finger-Licking Retard –

Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“A reluctant courtesan has an unattractive retarded client with a giant sex organ who is wetting his fingers to prepare for penetration. On the right a female onlooker is holding on to her hair-pin in shock.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Green Blanket – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“On a wonderful green blanket a married woman (hence the black teeth!) is sitting on Yoshimitsu’s lap.
In her ecstatic state she has closed her eyes while holding her lover’s hand tightly. The screen behind them features three swallows (two on a branch and one in flight) surrounded by cherry blossom.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Finger-Licking Shogun –

Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“Shogun Yoshimitsu is preparing for penetration making his fingers wet.
His aristocratic lover (look for the meticulous hair-dress) is shyly awaiting.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Koto – Oiran – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in this first edition of the Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“A high-class courtesan (oiran) is relaxing with her client (the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu).
The musical instrument that lays behind them is called a koto. Although oiran were prostitutes (yujo) they were considered as artists distinguishing themselves from the regular yujo by their entertainment skills. ”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Post Coitus – Dragon Fish –

Butterflies And Chrysantemums – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in the first edition of this Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“A superb post-coital scene with the male (Yoshimitsu – see the text above this page!) preparing a pipe while the female is doing her hair. The green blanket behind the couple features multiple dragon fishes. The gold-lacquered screen in the background depicts butterflies and chrysanthemums.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – In A Cabin – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

“In a remote cabin Yoshimitsu, the male protagonist of this Genji story, is having intercourse with one of his (many) female lovers. In the background a small village is visible.”

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Obon Shunga – First Edition – Shocked Onlooker – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

“On the left of the image a startling female onlooker has put the sleeve of her kimono to her mouth in shock when she is confronted with a love-making couple behind the sliding doors. She’s of aristocratic heritage as her elaborate hair-dress indicates.”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Court Ladies With Kid And Dog –

Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

“A delicate design portraying three courtesans and a kamuro (a child attendant) standing in a mansion that is partly build over a river. The courtesan on the right is carrying a small dog (look for the gauffrage on its fur!) .”

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Obon Shunga Masterpiece – First Edition – Fingering – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

“The hero Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is preparing his lover for another love-bout stroking her vagina. Next door (look for the phoenix motifs printed with silver pigment!) a female servant accompanied by a kamuro (child attendant) is ready to hand them new tissues.”

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Shunga – First Edition – Tissue – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865). Date: 1851 (Kaei 4).
Size: 7 1/10” x 9 3/4” inches. Excellent impression, fine color and near fine condition. Binding holes.
Minor marks and flaws.

“A courtesan is holding a pack of tissues to her mouth while entering the room.
Her facial expression betrays what she hears .”

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Shunga – First Edition – Female Peekers – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

“An older prostitute graps the wrist of a younger colleague to draw her attention of what
is happening in the room next door.”

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Shunga – First Edition – Reading A Letter – Bijin With Cat –

Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Series:Shõ-utsushi Aioi Genji (A True-life Devoted Genji). The printing techniques (use of gauffrage, embossing, gold and silver pigments...etc.) used in the first edition of this Genji series is unmatched in the history of shunga (you can find more info above this page!).

“A charming design depicting a beauty (bijin) reading a letter while a cat is reacting to the whirling end of the scroll.”

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Shunga – First Edition – Begging Man – Utagawa Kunisada – c.1851.

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Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865). Date: 1851 (Kaei 4).
Size:7 1/10 ” x 9 3/4” inches. Excellent impression, fine color and near fine condition. Binding holes.
Minor marks and flaws.

“Amusing scene with a desperate man clinging on to the legs of a courtesan who is standing in a door post.”

> Click here for more Kunisada shunga scenes. > Click here for more info on Kunisada.

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