Study Task 4 - introduction

This essay will explore how erotic art has been presented in Japanese culture, specifically during the Edo period. It will look at themes such as the disparity between erotica and pornography, how artists may convey humour to elicit a certain response from the viewer, and consider why certain visual motifs are repeated. The first half will focus on the historical and social context of the creative practice of Shunga (“spring pictures”), and the second half will analyse the traditional images directly, and how Shunga is so incredibly uncensored, as opposed to erotic works in western culture. How does drawing as a limitless tool allow for non-physical and imaginary erotica to surpass societal boundaries?