Caught in the Act

Suzuki Harunobu, c. 1769 - 1770

Shunga (erotic) prints featured every imaginable form of sexual activity, including voyeurism. Their explicit content resulted in their being condemned as ‘harmful to public morals’ and censored by the government. This, of course, did not stop the printmakers. But even today such images – many of which feature outrageously proportioned genitalia – are banned from being imported back into Japan.

  • Artwork typeprint, shunga
  • Object numberRP-P-2006-287
  • Dimensionsheight 209 mm x width 281 mm
  • Physical characteristicskleurenhoutsnede; lijnblok in zwart met kleurblokken