Lot 151B
**First Time At Auction**
East Asia, Japan, Meiji period, 1868 to 1912. A very long Shunga painting mounted as a handscroll and depicting various explicit sexual interludes between samurai and courtesans that culminates in a full-fledged orgy involving a large group of lovers and even including an infant suckling its mother's breast at the far left. All is delineated in vibrant color and bold line. Shunga are Japanese artworks that depict an extensive array of sensual encounters, ranging from tender to erotic like this example. Shunga literally means "pictures of spring" - "spring" being a common euphemism for sex. An especially exciting Shunga painting mounted in a handscroll format. Size (painting): 5.25" L x 55" W (13.3 cm x 139.7 cm) Size (handscroll): 8.5" L x 75" W (21.6 cm x 190.5 cm)
Japanese Shunga paintings were inspired by imagery found in Chinese medical manuals going back to the Muromachi era (14th to 16th centuries) as well as the paintings of Tang dynasty Chinese artist Zhou Fang who was known for depicting oversized genitalia. In Japan, the influences go back to the Heian period (794 to 1185) when sex scandals were depicted on narrative handscrolls; however, the form reached its pinnacle during the Edo period (1603 to 1867) and came to and end during the Meiji era (1868 to 1912).
Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010
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#177487
- Condition: Painting has expected age wear with slight darkening and minute tear marks (though mounted to backing and stable). Otherwise, very nice with vivid imagery and colors. Handscroll materials are newer than the painting and suggest that the painting was remounted.
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| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |