SHUNGA 【春画】　exhibition at EISEI BUNKO Museum

SHUNGA 【春画】　exhibition at EISEI BUNKO Museum
19th September - 23rd December 2015

I'm highly delighted to share with you this first-ever exhibition of traditional erotic art : SHUNGA ( literally ' spring pictures '　【春画】 )in this country. SHUNGA was produced from 1600 to 1900 by the artists of the ukiyo-e or 'floating world ' school. They appealed to all classes in Japan for almost 300 years, and men and woman alike. Frequently tender and humorous, they celebrate sexual pleasure in all its forms in brilliantly coloured paintings and prints, culminating with beautifully and explicit works by iconic artists Uatamaro, Hokusai. Toulouse-Lautrec, Rodin and Picasso were inspired by the explicit and beautifully detailed erotic paintings and prints. Because of the ' obscene ' reputation, the organisers offered this show to around ten museums in Japan, only EISEI BUNKO finally took up this art project.

EISEI BUNKO Museum has dedicated to the preservation and display of the HOSOKAWA samurai clan's history and artistic fortune.

"Poem of the Pillow"
by UTAMARO, 1788

Ukiyo-e, one of the most well-known Japanese arts worldwide, was developed in the Edo period ( 1603-1868 ). Its exotic two-dimensional style has attracted many European artists - especially Impressionists, including Van Gogh, Monet, Edgar de Gas.The most famous ukiyo-e artists are Utamaro who depicted beautiful women, Sharaku who is know for his exaggerated portraits of Kabuki actors and Sumo wrestlers. Ukiyo-e requires the work of painters, engravers, and printers. Recently, it has become difficult to find craftsmen trained in these skills.

"Poem of the Pillow"
by UTAMARO, 1788

by HOKUSAI, 1814

Around 120 pieces are from the British Museum, International Research Centre for Japanese Studies, Hayashibara Museum, and other private collectors. You'll need to be 10 or older to enter.

To see more information:
www.eiseibunko.com/shunga

Thank you.