No daily subject matter was omitted in the images of shunga, so pregnant women having sex
Betty Dodson (born 1929) was trained as a fine artist in the 1950s, and in 1968 had her first show of erotic art at the Wickersham Gallery in New York City. In the 1970s, she quitted her art career and began studying..
with their spouses should not be missing from the artist’s idiom. The woman depicted during their pregnancy attract attention not only by their swollen belly but also by a piece of clothing called haramaki (lit. “bellyband”), that was worn around the abdomen.
Childbirth
When shown having sex, pregnant women are frequently on top. The rare depiction of childbirth (mainly late Edo period), were most probably added to demonstrate the consequence of making love but also as hilarious subject matter with a baby (Fig.9) being born during love-making.
Pornography
Many of these images are realistic depictions and have the same purpose as educational books found today. Clearly, they were not created with any idea of stimulating desire – further evidence that shunga
Shunga, a genre within ukiyo-e displaying the erotic secrets of ancient Japan. These prints where commonly created by using woodblock printing.
was not created as pornography.
Below you can find some exciting examples…
Fig.1. ‘Samurai and pregnant lover‘ (c.1837) from the series ‘Sumagoto‘ by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) (Euro 635,-)
Samurai
A samurai making love to his pregnant lover sideways. The sword he is carrying on his back is partly visible.
Fig.2. Painting depicting a ‘Pregnant woman and husband‘ (c,1850s) by a highly-skilled ukiyo-e artist (Euro 1875,-)
Swollen
In this magnificent image a pregnant woman is having intercourse with her husband while sitting on his lap. The man holds on tight to her swollen belly.
Fig.3. ‘Pregnant woman in an ecstatic pose‘ (c.1825) from the series ‘Kon kurabe tama no ase‘ by either Utagawa Sadashige or Toyokuni I (Euro 425,-)
Privacy
In the privacy of their living room a married couple experiences an ecstatic moment.
Fig.4. Meiji painting ‘Pregnant woman taken from the rear‘ (c.1880) inspired by Kiyonaga’s ‘The Sleeve Scroll‘ (Euro 650,-)
Sash
A pregnant wife, a sash wound her belly, rests on her arms to allow her husband to penetrate her carefully from behind.
Fig.5. ‘Threesome including pregnant woman‘ (c.1827) from the series ‘Imose yama‘ by Utagawa Kuninao (Sold)
Threesome
During the course of their threesome lovemaking the man is handed a cup of sake by a pregnant participant.
Fig.6. ‘Passionate encounter with pregnant beauty‘ (c.1853) from the series ‘Shikido 18 kajo’ by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Euro 865,-)
Imperturbable
A compelling scene with a pregnant woman taken from behind by her imperturbable lover (look at his ecstatic facial expression !)
Fig.7. ‘Insatiable pregnant lady‘ (c.1840) from the series ‘The Flower’s Smile (Hana no egao)‘ by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Although I dived deep into my shunga library (which lacks very few books on the subject) and also thoroughly researched the internet about the ehon (book) below, I unfortunately could not find much background..
(Euro 625,-)
Voracious
A pregnant woman with a voracious sexual appetite (look for the used tissues surrounding them!). Striking is her bent neck which expresses her total ecstasy.
Fig.8. ‘Childbirth performed by old lady‘ (c.1828) from the series ‘Yako no tama‘ by Utagawa Kunisada
Below you can check out the sensual images of a rare complete book series by Utagawa Kunisada. The title is ‘ Aki no Nanakusa (The Seven Flowers of Autumn)’ and the year of production is 1832. Size (book..
(Euro 575,-)
Abortion
A very unusual abortion scene with a young pregnant woman at the point of giving birth (the tiny forehead already coming out) holding on tightly to an occasional table while being supported by an old woman. Erotic signifiers enhance the scene for example in the visibility of the aged woman’s genitalia adding a lesbian undertone and the stream depicted on the folding screen in the background which evokes woman’s sexuality.
Fig.9. ‘Interrupting newborn‘ (c.1855) from the series ‘Shunkyo karami-dako (Spring Games: Grappling Octopus
In addition to one of our most read articles about the influence of Hokusai’s iconic The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife on a whole new genre called Tentacle Erotica (shokushu goukan 触手強姦, aka. Tentacle..
)‘ by Utagawa Kunisada II (Euro 285,-)
Hilarious design featuring a newborn who is interrupting the sexual activities of his parents.