Riga Shunga Gallery, Japanese Erotic Art, Graphics, Series #09
Genuine Antique Shunga, Japanese Erotic Drawings c.1930, Showa period
Ukiyo-e, Edo shunga school
Pencil, Ink, Cardboard, 19 x 27 cm
Anonymous, unsigned
In the first half of the 20th century, Japanese artists might not have signed their shunga works for several reasons:
Censorship and Legislation. Following the Meiji Restoration, Japan underwent significant modernization and Westernization, which led to changes in censorship laws and moral standards. Erotic art like shunga came under stricter control and censorship. Signing such works could bring legal trouble or social condemnation upon the artists.
Social Norms. Although shunga was part of Japanese culture, it was considered vulgar or obscene in the context of increasing Western influences and shifting societal morals. Artists might have avoided signing their erotic works to protect their reputation and careers in other art genres.
Anonymity for Protection. Many artists creating shunga might have preferred anonymity to shield themselves from persecution or negative repercussions on their careers, especially if they were also producing works for a broader audience or working in official institutions.
Tradition of Anonymity. In some cases, the tradition of not signing erotic works was a continuation of practices from previous centuries when shunga was considered a private rather than public form of art. This practice might have persisted even under changed circumstances.
Commercial Considerations. In the context of commercial printing of shunga, where works were often sold on the black market or through private channels, not signing could be a strategy to enhance anonymity and safety for both the artist and the seller.
Therefore, a combination of censorship, social norms, the need to protect personal careers, and traditions lead to Japanese artists in the first half of the 20th century not signing their shunga works.
© All images are copyrighted, copying and use are prohibited. You can purchase NFTs from the Riga Gallery of Japanese Art.
Ukiyo-e, Edo shunga school
Pencil, Ink, Cardboard, 19 x 27 cm
Anonymous, unsigned
In the first half of the 20th century, Japanese artists might not have signed their shunga works for several reasons:
Censorship and Legislation. Following the Meiji Restoration, Japan underwent significant modernization and Westernization, which led to changes in censorship laws and moral standards. Erotic art like shunga came under stricter control and censorship. Signing such works could bring legal trouble or social condemnation upon the artists.
Social Norms. Although shunga was part of Japanese culture, it was considered vulgar or obscene in the context of increasing Western influences and shifting societal morals. Artists might have avoided signing their erotic works to protect their reputation and careers in other art genres.
Anonymity for Protection. Many artists creating shunga might have preferred anonymity to shield themselves from persecution or negative repercussions on their careers, especially if they were also producing works for a broader audience or working in official institutions.
Tradition of Anonymity. In some cases, the tradition of not signing erotic works was a continuation of practices from previous centuries when shunga was considered a private rather than public form of art. This practice might have persisted even under changed circumstances.
Commercial Considerations. In the context of commercial printing of shunga, where works were often sold on the black market or through private channels, not signing could be a strategy to enhance anonymity and safety for both the artist and the seller.
Therefore, a combination of censorship, social norms, the need to protect personal careers, and traditions lead to Japanese artists in the first half of the 20th century not signing their shunga works.
© All images are copyrighted, copying and use are prohibited. You can purchase NFTs from the Riga Gallery of Japanese Art.