The Function of Erotic Humor in Japanese Ukiyo-e Prints
Ukiyo-e prints are woodblock prints from Japan that depict scenes from everyday life. They were popular during the Edo period (1603–1868), when Japan was under shogunate rule. Artists used them to capture the beauty of nature, cityscapes, and ordinary people going about their lives. But some ukiyo-e artists also included erotic humor in their works, using satire and playful imagery to comment on social and sexual mores.
Erotic humor was common in traditional Japanese art, but it is rare in ukiyo-e prints. Only a few artists dared to include it, as they risked censorship or ridicule. The most famous erotic ukiyo-e artist was Shunga Hokusai, who produced many prints featuring sexually explicit images. His work was so shocking that it was banned in Japan for decades after his death.
Shunga Hokusai's most well-known print is "The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife." It features an octopus having sex with a woman while she dreams about her husband. This image challenges traditional gender roles by showing a woman enjoying sex outside marriage. It also pokes fun at religion, which often condemned premarital sex as sinful.
Other erotic ukiyo-e prints feature animals engaging in sexual acts or satirizing social norms. One print shows a monkey trying to have sex with a cat, parodying the idea that women should only be interested in men. Another depicts a mouse couple getting married, highlighting the importance of fidelity. Still, another shows a man being caught cheating on his wife with two lovers, exposing hypocrisy in society.
These prints were not just designed to titillate viewers; they had deeper meanings behind them. By using humor, artists could criticize social conventions without directly attacking them. They showed how society treated sex and intimacy and questioned whether these attitudes made sense.
Erotic humor in ukiyo-e prints remains controversial today. Some viewers find it offensive or distasteful, while others appreciate its subversive nature. Regardless of personal opinions, these works are fascinating examples of artistic expression that challenge our views on love, relationships, and human desires.