p2575-p2582. Kawanabe Kyosai (1831-1889) - Koikawa Shozan (1821-1907)

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Kawanabe Kyōsai ( 1831 ~ 1889 ) p2575 ~ p2576

河鍋暁斎

The phenomenal artist Kawanabe Kyõsai (1831-1889) who was born to a samurai family after that class had lost its power and influence, was famous for using his art as an instrument of political protest against many of the new government’s acts, and was even arrested for it. Not only did he create arguably the best shunga of the day, completely original in subject and style, he even signed most with his real name (together with Harunobu, he was among the very few artists to do so). For Kyõsai this was probably a way of expressing his dissaproval of what he saw as the detrimental influence of the West and its religion. He perceived the threat to Japanese tradition, including its enlightened way of dealing with the subject of sex and its artists.

Tale of a Night in Kiyomizu

The compositions in Kiyomizu tsuya monogatari show officers of the Meiji imperial government in Western-style uniforms having sex, even though there is no mention of the Meiji Restoration in the text. It is significant that Kyõsai criticizes the nascent Meiji government, albeit obliquely, in a book that has no link with Tokugawa or Meiji politics. His criticism therefore lies in the illustration of imperial Meiji officers in Western clothes (a sign of the new government) in erotic scenes. The point was that even imperial officers partook in and enjoyed orgies, and so were not so ‘imperial’ after all. The other more conventional images (involving adultery) of the Kiyomizu series are by an anonymous artist (most probably Koikawa Shozan).

> Click here for more erotic art by Kyosai.

p2575 - €2580 - US$ > Currency Converter. Contact Info >

Superb Shunga – Kyosai – Surrealistic Masterpiece Featuring Westerners

Vulva Statue, Soldiers...etc. – c.1867.

> Click on the Picture.

Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock by Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎 ( 1831 ~ 1889 )
Date: 1867. Size: 16 4/5” x 7” inches. Excellent impression (with numerous printing details!), fine color and condition.
Series: Kiyomizu tsuya monogatari (Tale of a Night in Kiyomizu). In a wonderful state with minutely detailed surimono style like printing such as various gauffrage and metallic pigment details.

“This compelling surrealistic fantasy scene by Kyosai depicts imperial officers in European dress having sex with woman, all but one clad in kimono. The background is also very curious: there are four standing soldiers, a strange god-like vulva or vulva-like statue, three foreigners with erect penises conversing and to the left, a foreign woman smoking a pipe .”

Reference: p.229 (Fig.96a) in Japanese Erotic Fantasies: Sexual Imagery of the Edo Period Art by Chris Uhlenbeck.

Among the best shunga designs we have ever come across !

p2576 - € - US$ > Currency Converter. Contact Info >

Extremely Rare Shunga – Kyosai –

Dreamscape Masterwork Portraying A Western Couple On An Elephant, A Ghost,

Flying Genitalia...etc. – c.1867.

> Click on the Picture.

Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock by Kawanabe Kyōsai 河鍋暁斎 ( 1831 ~ 1889 )
Date: 1867. Size: 16 4/5” x 7” inches. Excellent impression (with numerous printing details!), fine color and condition.
Kiyomizu tsuya monogatari (Tale of a Night in Kiyomizu). Minor marks and flaws only but otherwise in a magnificent state with very detailed surimono style like printing such as various gauffrage and metallic pigment details.

“ An extraordinary Hieronymus Bosch-esque composition portaying a Western couple standing on an elephant, a soldier with a rifle slung over on his shoulder and large vulvas and penises.The dancing bodiless (ghost) costume is probably a satirical reference to the imprudence of the government. It is difficult to understand the meaning behind all the displayed details. Kyosai might have borrowed them from foreign books and placed them indiscriminately as background elements.”

Reference: p.229 (Fig.96b) in Japanese Erotic Fantasies: Sexual Imagery of the Edo Period Art by Chris Uhlenbeck.

p.442 (Fig.12) in Japanese Erotic Art: The Hidden World of Shunga by Ofer Shagan.

A true classic !

Koikawa Shozan ( 1821 ~ 1907 ) p2577 ~ p2582

p2577 - €300 - US$ > Currency Converter. Contact Info >

Shunga – Shozan – Faceless Couple – c.1867.

> Click on the Picture.

Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock attrib. to Koikawa Shozan ( 1821~1907 ). Date: 1867. Size: 8 2/5” x 6 4/5” inches.
Fine impression (with metallic pigments!), color and condition. Series: Kiyomizu tsuya monogatari (Tale of a Night in Kiyomizu).
Minor marks and flaws only otherwise in a wonderful state.

“A nice portrayal of an intimate couple in a tight embrace kissing each other after an orgasmic moment.
A striking detail is that both their faces are not visible.”

p2578 - €300 - US$ > Currency Converter. Contact Info >

Shunga – Shozan – Missionary – c.1867.

> Click on the Picture.

Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock attrib. to Koikawa Shozan ( 1821~1907 ). Date: 1867. Size: 8 2/5” x 6 4/5” inches.
Fine impression (with metallic pigments!), color and condition. Series: Kiyomizu tsuya monogatari (Tale of a Night in Kiyomizu).
Minor marks and flaws only otherwise in a wonderful state.

“A couple make love in missionary position. Look for the determined expression on the face of the man.”

p2579 - €300 - US$ > Currency Converter. Contact Info >

Shunga – Shozan – Male Peeker – Cheating Wife – c.1867.

> Click on the Picture.

Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock attrib. to Koikawa Shozan ( 1821~1907 ). Date: 1867. Size: 8 2/5” x 6 4/5” inches.
Fine impression (with metallic pigments!), color and condition. Series: Kiyomizu tsuya monogatari (Tale of a Night in Kiyomizu).
Minor marks and flaws only otherwise in a wonderful state.

“A woman and her secret lover are having sex while a male peeker observes them from behind the sliding-door.
The chest in the background is the hiding place for the man in case her husband gets home (see P2582 !).”

p2580 - €300 - US$ > Currency Converter. Contact Info >

Shunga – Shozan – Scared Woman – c.1867.

> Click on the Picture.

Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock attrib. to Koikawa Shozan ( 1821~1907 ). Date: 1867. Size: 8 2/5” x 6 4/5” inches.
Fine impression (with metallic pigments!), color and condition.. Series: Kiyomizu tsuya monogatari (Tale of a Night in Kiyomizu).
Minor marks and flaws only otherwise in a wonderful state.

“A man is penetrating his lover while she seems alarmed from the outside noises. Is her husband coming home earlier? ”

p2581 - €285 - US$ > Currency Converter. Contact Info >

Shunga – Shozan – Apprentice – c.1867.

> Click on the Picture.

Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock attrib. to Koikawa Shozan ( 1821~1907 ). Date: 1867. Size: 8 2/5” x 6 4/5” inches.
Fine impression (with metallic pigments!), color and condition. Series: Kiyomizu tsuya monogatari (Tale of a Night in Kiyomizu).
Minor marks and flaws only otherwise in a wonderful state.

“Two courtesans introduce a young apprentice to their world. She is about to read a book they gave her.
The above inset features a courtesan who might be the protagonist from the book that features her sensual adventures.”

p2582 - €285 - US$ > Currency Converter. Contact Info >

Shunga – Shozan – Adultery And Jealousy – c.1867.

> Click on the Picture.

Description:

Original antique Japanese color woodblock attrib. to Koikawa Shozan ( 1821~1907 ). Date: 1867. Size: 4” x 6 4/5” inches.
Fine impression (with metallic pigments!), color and condition. Series: Kiyomizu tsuya monogatari (Tale of a Night in Kiyomizu).
Minor marks and flaws only otherwise in a wonderful state.

“A man hastily hides himself in a chest with the help of his secret lover (see P2579 for their preliminary activities!) .”

Reference: p.230 (Fig.13) in Japanese Erotic Art: The Hidden World of Shunga by Ofer Shagan.

> Shunga - Erotic Prints.

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