This talk will explore ukiyo-e artists’ constructions of “the way of love” and their approach to representing the human body in the printed erotica of the Edo period (1603-1868). Ukiyo-e artists imbued their erotic works with humor and joy, visually affirming the conviction that “making love is the prime glory and height of pleasure.” By drawing on selected European images and texts, specific aspects of Japanese attitudes toward sex and art will be brought into sharper relief.
Dr. Ellis Tinios is Honorary Lecturer in History at the University of Leeds, Visiting Researcher at the Art Research Centre, Ritsumeikan University, and faculty of the Rare Book School, University of Virginia. He was a participant in the recent British Museum research project exploring Japanese erotic art (shunga). His recent publications include Understanding Japanese woodblock-printed illustrated books with Suzuki Jun (Brill, 2013), ‘Japanese illustrated erotic books in the context of commercial publishing, 1660-1868’ in Japan Review No.26 (2013), and Japanese Prints: Ukiyo-e in Edo, 1700-1900 (British Museum Press, 2010).
(Image: Koryusai Isoda [active 1764-88]. H. Irving Olds Collection, Library of Congress)