Hidden Images of Edo
A pocket-sized shunga series of 36 miniature woodblock prints
For the Hand, Not the Wall
This group of thirty-six miniature cards forms a compact shunga series produced in the tradition of Japanese woodblock printing. Created for private viewing, such small-format prints were easily concealed and handled, reflecting the intimate visual culture of the Edo period.
The compositions range from figural scenes to isolated motifs and fragmented forms, characteristic of late Edo erotic imagery and its parallel development alongside larger ukiyo-e prints. The reduced scale emphasizes the tactile, personal nature of these works, intended for discreet circulation rather than public display.
The series is attributed to the Edo period and to Japanese woodblock printing practice. Further research is required to clarify precise dating, workshop attribution, and the original functional context of individual cards. The description will be expanded as the study progresses.
Approximate size of each card: 6.3 × 4.8 cm.
The compositions range from figural scenes to isolated motifs and fragmented forms, characteristic of late Edo erotic imagery and its parallel development alongside larger ukiyo-e prints. The reduced scale emphasizes the tactile, personal nature of these works, intended for discreet circulation rather than public display.
The series is attributed to the Edo period and to Japanese woodblock printing practice. Further research is required to clarify precise dating, workshop attribution, and the original functional context of individual cards. The description will be expanded as the study progresses.
Approximate size of each card: 6.3 × 4.8 cm.