Katsushika Hokusai is undoubtedly the most famous ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world) artist of the Edo period. Not only was he responsible for the single most famous Japanese artwork, The Great Wave OffKanagawa, his The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife is the most widely known example of shunga (spring pictures), the astounding Japanese erotic art that flourished between the 17th and 19th centuries.
What is striking about ukiyo-e is that every major artist of the period produced shunga, including Eiri, Utamaro, Kuniyoshi, Kunisada and Eisen. Although shunga was subject to periodic censorship by the shogunate, this didn’t seem to affect its widespread popularity among all classes of Japanese society. It was also a highly profitable venture for the artist who could supplement their income for months with a single painting.
Below are examples of Hokusai’s work, including The Great Wave Off Kanagawa as well as some brillitantly executed shunga.
![hokusai-japan-manga-rome-exhibition[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/hokusai-japan-manga-rome-exhibition1.jpg?w=1280&h=854)
![d30ae953a67140901cf19db81c8c4d96[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/d30ae953a67140901cf19db81c8c4d961.jpg?w=736&h=578)
![Shunga_lesbiennes_-_doble_harikata[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/shunga_lesbiennes_-_doble_harikata1.jpg?w=842&h=632)
![62b51dbab5f62bbc1afd592c5e790893[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/62b51dbab5f62bbc1afd592c5e7908931.jpg?w=787&h=536)
![models hugs[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/modelsc2a0hugs1.jpg?w=800&h=553)
![scena_erotica_shunga_realizata_cu_pigmenti_metalici_reprezentand_un_cuplu_intr-o_incapere_intima_stampa_rara_katsushika_hokusai[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/scena_erotica_shunga_realizata_cu_pigmenti_metalici_reprezentand_un_cuplu_intr-o_incapere_intima_stampa_rara_katsushika_hokusai1.jpg?w=1400&h=945)
![27112_ca_object_representations_media_105_mediumlarge[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/27112_ca_object_representations_media_105_mediumlarge1.jpg?w=579&h=394)
![6324304122400024[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/63243041224000241.jpg?w=1220&h=860)
![479b556bde5c42d479ffee3f78893e74[1]](https://cakeordeathsite.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/479b556bde5c42d479ffee3f78893e741.jpg?w=800&h=595)
cakeordeathsite 
Fascinating, especially for the time period. I’m familiar with the wave of course
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It is a great painting the great wave…fascinating that all the artists would work in this field as well as there other work.
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True! So unconventional, so graphic.
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This is a good education for me… I am starting to recognise individual artists styles and work. Still in Cakeland though.
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Sort of an Eastern province of Cakeland. Thanks for being out guide.
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My pleasure… it really is beautifully executed and wonderfully bold.
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Aaaah, this is just great. The sea cucumber… So funny.
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Shunga possessed a strong sense of humour, a realistic setting (the floating world referred to the pleasure quarters) though a decidedly unrealistic features, the gymnastic postures and the exaggeration of certain body parts. Thank you.
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And like the writing seems to rain down onto the drawing, looks awesome. I like the one with the breast most.
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The Japanese writie (and read) vertically, from right to left. It does look beautiful.
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Oh yes, I know. It just fits neatly with the drawing and its somewhat marine setting.
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The aqueous realm of desires.
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Oh yeah…
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I recognise that pic The Great Wave Off Kanagawa from an album cover. WOW! love it. I’m going to do more researhc on it. Always a pleasure.
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Thank you Daisy… a great image. I am on a little bit of a Japanese kick at the moment so expect more.
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👊 kung fu style 😉
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Well my new shunga post is up… I have another two Asian posts planned (one is South Korean), though not on art. You know I like to mix it up. By the way I hope to have a book out shortly.
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Oh wow, these are pretty explicit. Yet in a way, also somewhat macabre.
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I agree totally. Finely executed I would add as well.
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These are beautiful works of art. The bizarre augmentation of the sex organ stirs the imagination…I would love to be in the mind of this artist. Beautiful post.
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Thank you again…I have another Japanese post up, but this time on a writer.
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I know little about Japanese art, other than its beauty.
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I am pretty much the same apart from recent research
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I’ve always loved these. I have some modern-day versions that are fun interpretations. We have a wonderful erotic arts festival here, can always count on interesting items on sale in the gift shop.
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That does sound fun Em, glad you enjoyed.
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