shunga exhibit top

If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed over the course of human history, it’s humans. Sure, we like to pretend that we’re above nature and instincts by carrying around fancy phones and sending people into space, but when it really comes down to it, we’re all still mostly interested in the same exact same thing that humans thousands of years ago were interested in.

If you need further proof, then check out the upcoming Shunga Exhibit in Tokyo of erotic Edo Period woodblock prints. The pictures on display there aren’t too far off from what the Japanese adult media world produces today. Just be sure your boss isn’t looking over your shoulder while you get your Japanese history lesson, because these pictures are not safe for work!

The Shunga (literally: “erotic pictures”) Exhibit is going to be held at the Eisei-Bunko Museum in Tokyo starting September 19, 2015 to December 13, 2015. Interestingly enough, this will mark its first opening in Japan. The last time the exhibit took place was in 2013 in England, where it drew over 88,000 visitors in just three months.

The exhibit will include 120 pieces in total, composed of prints not only owned by museums in Japan, but also from England and Denmark as well. Apparently those Edo Period woodblock prints got around even more than the subjects they depicted!

One interesting thing to note is that the Shunga Exhibit in England allowed patrons of any age to view the pieces, provided those under 16 were accompanied by a chaperone. However, in Japan, no one under 18 will be allowed into the exhibit. We’re not exactly sure why that, is considering you can see far more graphic images just walking around Tokyo, or merely making a few clicks on the internet, and at least these images have historical and artistic value.

But either way, we know what you came to this article for, so now it’s time to deliver. Here’s a sample of some of the prints that will be one display at the Shunga Exhibit, though the quality obviously cannot compare to seeing the real thing.

▼ And hey! We start off with a bang! (Ba dum ch)

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▼ One that’s PG at the top then gets a whole lot more X-rated the further down you go.

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▼ Not exactly sure what’s going on here, but I’m guessing they’re building a pillow fort.

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▼ Man, pillow forts sure were popular back in the Edo Period.

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▼ I’d go to the exhibit just to get an explanation of what’s going on in this picture.

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▼ Something a bit less in-your-face and more subtly erotic.

▼ Along with some gentle caressing and the always-appreciated blowing in your lover’s ear.

▼ And we’re back! I like the modern Japanese addition of the cute censoring mascot.

▼ The left is the cover of a book, seductively hinting at what’s to come inside.

If the Shunga Exhibit sounds like something you’re interested in, and you’re lucky enough to live near Tokyo, then check it out. You have plenty of time to plan a trip and do, uh, do some research to see how the prints compare to modern Japanese erotica.

Shunga Exhibit
Date: Sept. 9, 2015 – Dec. 23, 2015
Location: Eisei-Bunko Museum
Address: Tokyo-to, Bunkyō-ku, Mejirodai 1-1-1
Website

Source: Eisei-Bunko Museum via KAI-YOU
Images: Eisei-Bunko Museum