Shunga (春画) is a type of Japanese erotic art typically executed as a kind of ukiyo-e, often in woodblock print format. While rare, there are also extant erotic painted handscrolls which predate ukiyo-e. [1]

Nov 5, 2025 · Shunga is the type of ukiyo-e, a Japanese woodprint characterized by seemingly relaxed attitude to nakedness and sexuality.

Oct 24, 2023 · The term “shunga” translates in English to an “image of spring”, of which the season spring was often used as a euphemism for sex. The art form developed alongside Ukiyo-e artworks …

Jun 15, 2025 · Shunga, Japan’s historical erotic art, is a vibrant blend of sensuality, storytelling, and resistance to censorship, created during the Edo period. This ancient art form continues to fascinate …

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 …

"Shunga" is the traditional Japanese term for erotic paintings and prints. They are also called makura-e, "pillow pictures" (presumably the original term) or higa, "secret pictures".

Nowadays, the most common Japanese name for erotic drawings and prints is shunga, or ‘ spring pictures ’. This is because many prints portray sexual acts taking place in springtime.

The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections. Shunga is an object in the NMAA collection.

Shunga is a distinct branch of Japanese visual culture that emerged during the Edo period. The term is often translated as “spring pictures,” where “spring” in classical Japanese poetry served as a …

Designers of shunga had always drawn on earlier works for themes and compositions, and this is another feature of continuity in the Meiji era. It was more economical to appropriate existing designs …