10 Basic knowledge of Shunga

10 Basic knowledge of Shunga

I have a sensibility that is old in Japan in Shunga that can be funny.

In Harukata, also known as "laughing" during the Edo period, characters are scorned by dogs during sexual intercourse, flirtation sites are spotted, and all life and laughter live together. It is thought that this is Japan's unique sensibility leading to Kojiki etc. if going back in history. In mythology, the gods that express the breasts and the local dance, and other gods laugh at them, and Amaterasu-jin, who is hidden in Iwato, looks back and restores the light. Shunga can be said to be Japanese cultural heritage even in the sense of inheriting such old minds.

2. The sprout of sex depiction is old and is found in the Heian period

Before the Edo period, when Haruaki's Shunga were produced, the existence of paintings that depicted sexual depiction boldly was confirmed in the Heian period. In the narrative collection "Old and modern book collection" (Kamakura period), the disciple who was given the reality of the picture of the master and the Shunga drawn by the master of the old image exaggerates the one thing of a man, The expression of the picture of the real thing lacks is refuted on objection. Shunga of the Heian period do not exist, but their lifelines can be traced from the 13th-century copy.

Third, the source of the word "spring" is in ancient China!

It is said that the beginning of the name of Haruka is in the picture which explains the secret of the emperor drawn in ancient China. "Hunmiya Secrets" is a picture that describes how the emperor interacts with the twelve men throughout the year, and in the background, there is a thought that the correct manner of men and women (Yin and Yang) can be connected to Feroism and Tenpo Taihei. Also, Haru-zu and Haru-hon drawn in China were introduced to Japan as a kind of medical book and attracted people's attention.

Four, enjoyed by a wide range

Shunga are roughly divided into autographs and woodcuts just like any other ukiyoe. Most of the arts are hand-painted picture scrolls drawn by painters on paper and silk, and woodblock prints are printouts made of woodblocks, and a composition of 12 drawings of Shunga along the theme. Buyers of autographs were limited to some of the privileged classes that could be commissioned by painters, and a luxury home edition was created. When woodblock printing technology developed in the second half of the 17th century, and mass production of Shunga and low-cost edition publication became possible, it became possible for ordinary people to enjoy it. The history of Shunga Prints is also a history in which the base of appreciation spreads from the things enjoyed by temples and high-end merchants to the emerging townspeople of Edo.

Five, unmanageable acrobatic world

What's impressive in the Shunga is the boldly enlarged and drawn locals. Both men and women are exaggerated and carefully drawn to details. Moreover, some researchers pay attention to their size, which is about the size of their face. If you want to exaggerate the local area, abnormal movements of the limbs and body twists are no matter what. Ukiyo-e artist sent out men and women of impossible acrobatic poses one after another. In the Edo period, there is a phrase that "I copied a fool couple of Shunga and dropped a hand" in Kawayanagi.

Six, a human drama that a wide variety of protagonists spread

The characters of Haruka are old and young men and women. There are a variety of couples, including mistresses, widows, and young people, many of whom are ordinary, familiar people. In the "Furyu Mimeimon" drawn by Harunichi Suzuki, a man who has a desire to study the work of men and women has become a small figure and hopes to see all sorts of things. What is characteristic is that there is no gender greed or gender distinction between men and women and that women are depicted as beings who admire sex as well.

Seven, women also appreciate the Shunga!

Shunga was not only for men but also for young girls and daughters of longhouses. There is an opportunity for them to see the Shunga, but home sales for a bookstore to bring a new book. Of the books that a bookstore lends for a view fee, Shunga was the main product. Also, because there is a side to wish the prosperity of offspring in the Shunga, there are cases where it is added to the martial arts equipment, or it is used as an amulet or fire protection amulet.

Eight, purchase according to the circumstances and purpose

Shunga is published in Kyoto for the first time before moving to Edo. From the big city where people from all over the world gather, including the samurai of a change of duty, Haruka spreads to the whole country. The price is that of 36 sentences, and that of 33 years. A wide variety of products were distributed from cheap to high-priced books and were hand-picked according to people's purposes and circumstances.

Nine, a Ukiyo-e writer who is not disappointed

The Edo period, when many bans were issued. Since the reform of Kyobo by Tokugawa Yoshimune, Shunga has been banned from the outside and has become an underground publication that does not record the name of the producer. Ukiyo-e masters and publishers who produce publications have always been at risk of punishment such as hand chains and forfeiture of property. Kitakawa Kayo is an unsponsored spring book, suggesting the existence of "Utamaru" in the person's conversation as "Utamaru", or in the preface to mark the artist's name as "Mutambara". Hmm. The masterpiece "Utakukura" is also unsolicited, but if the title is "to the artist's name", a hint is given in the foreword.

Ten, strange, creamy saucer of fantasy

Katsushika Hokusai's “Ama and Toshi" attracted considerable attention throughout Europe in the late 19th century. What you see is captured at first glance by overwhelming force, and you are invited to fantasy. From these paradoxes to scenes that lead to everyday life, Haruka has the power to make people fly their imagination wings across time and borders.