'Shunga' The generosity of the Edo period
- kanae matsubara
- Sep 16, 2025
- 3 min read
As we move past the middle of September, the equinoctial week, Ohigan, is just around the corner, followed soon after by the Autumnal Equinox. As I mentioned earlier, understanding Japan’s sense of the seasons—shaped by traditions such as the 24 seasonal divisions (nijūshi sekki)—is essential for appreciating our seasonal customs and cultural events. Now, I would like to turn to history, and in particular the Edo period, which had a profound influence on Japan’s unique culture and arts. For those about to explore Tokyo—once called Edo—knowing a little of this background will make your journey even more enjoyable.
Among Japan’s long history, the Edo period (1603–1868), which began about 420 years ago, shines with a special and somewhat mysterious brilliance. When the Tokugawa shogunate was established, the flames of war were extinguished, and over 260 years of peace followed. This long era of tranquility gave people room in their hearts, leading to the flourishing of uniquely Japanese culture such as kabuki theater, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and the art of tea.
Walking through the streets of Edo, one could hear the laughter of common people echoing through the alleys. At dusk, steam would rise from public baths, and neighbors would line up shoulder to shoulder, sharing the day’s fatigue as they soaked in the warm water. At street corners, vibrant ukiyo-e prints were sold, and people delighted in the latest fashions and admired the beauty around them. Even in a society ruled by samurai, the lively culture of the townspeople flowed like an underground current, sustaining Edo itself.
The gardens reflected the changing seasons, with cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in autumn delighting everyone’s eyes. On the dining table, sushi, tempura, soba, and other dishes brought pleasure to the senses—a taste that continues to captivate people around the world today.
In an era without photography, it is ukiyo-e that allows us to glimpse the life of those times.
The word ukiyo literally means “floating world,” but for Edo’s common people, it referred to fleeting moments of joy and entertainment in an otherwise transient and often challenging daily life. People lived modestly and sometimes faced hardships, yet they poured their hearts into theater, festivals, social gatherings, and hobbies, finding delight in small pleasures.
Ukiyo-e captured this “floating world” of everyday life. Actors, beautiful women, cityscapes, and scenes of daily life were vividly depicted, conveying the townspeople’s sense of play, fashion, and urban culture. Ukiyo-e is an art form that celebrates the colorful, lively culture embedded within life’s fleeting nature.
Among ukiyo-e, perhaps the most fascinating are shunga—erotic prints. I recently visited a shunga exhibition held in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho. As you may know, Kabukicho is one of Tokyo’s busiest entertainment districts. Amidst the bustle, tucked quietly in a retro building, stood the Shinjuku Kabukicho Noh Theatre, where the exhibition was held.
Shunga depicts sexual intimacy between men and women in humorous and bold ways. Even the famous Hokusai created shunga, as did artists such as Kuniyoshi, Kunisada, Harunobu, Utamaro, Shunsho, and Moronobu. Some works portray scenes in public baths, showing men and women soaking together, sometimes in risqué interactions, yet in a lively and playful manner. These prints reflect the mixed-gender bathing culture that actually existed in Edo, illustrating how open and generous people’s attitudes were.
What this long period of peace brought was not only quiet prosperity, but also a certain generosity of spirit. Love, sexuality, and laughter were all naturally embraced through art and play, transformed into sources of enjoyment. Understanding the Edo period is not just about studying history—it is also about appreciating how people found and shared joy in life, and the human wisdom embedded in that pursuit.
Kanae Matsubara
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