Shunga

With debate over online pornography steaming ahead in the UK, The British Museum will be introducing us to Japanese porn this autumn in its first X-rated exhibition. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult and parents will be warned that the Shunga show contains sexually explicit pictures (CLICK). This is the only example of Shunga I know for certain will be in the show: Hokusai's Tako to ama, which literally means Octopus and pearl diver. Its English title is The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife. It depicts a cartoon octopus performing cunnilingus on a young pearl diver while a smaller octopus - the big one's son - tickles her mouth and a nipple with its tentacles. The text in the background gives a rude commentary on her erotic experience. CLICK for a larger graphic. CLICK to learn more about Shunga (spring pictures). CLICK for The British Museum research project Shunga: sex and humour in Japanese art 1600-1900.