This book brings together a collection of erotic woodblock prints that have rarely been accessible in such a cohesive form. Hokusai’s Shunga unfolds a world of intimacy, playfulness, and artisanal finesse. This part of his work has often been marginalized. The clear design and calm rhythm of the image sequences give viewers space to engage with these works free from pre-established interpretive frameworks. Thus, a quiet dialogue arises between gaze, paper, and physicality—working more with atmospheric presence than with assertiveness.
© Taschen Verlag
In the accompanying texts, Andreas Marks explores the genre with care and great expertise. Especially the art-historical contextualization of printing techniques, stylistic developments, and market mechanisms sets the book apart from a mere reproduction. At the same time, it becomes clear how difficult it is at times to strike the right balance between documentation and interpretation. Not all attributions to Hokusai withstand today’s rigorous source criticism—and some works from his studio appear more prominently than the sources might justify.
© Taschen Verlag
There is also a certain restraint in the commentary. Problematic motifs such as depictions of violence or grotesque scenes are mentioned, but often without explicit contextualization. This may be due to the historical distance, yet it misses the opportunity to raise contemporary awareness for the ambiguity of these depictions. Similarly, the idealized contrast between Western prudishness and the Japanese view of eroticism remains a cultural-historical narrative that could benefit from a more nuanced perspective.
© Taschen Verlag
Nevertheless, *Hokusai. Shunga* is an important contribution to the reception of East Asian visual culture. It opens a window onto a genre often left out and enables an engagement that goes beyond mere admiration. The Shunga are not presented as curiosities but as a cultural expression with its own dignity. The restraint itself is a strength: the book does not explain everything, but it shows where questions remain—and why it is worth asking them.
Reading Tip
For more information on Hokusai. Shunga, visit the TASCHEN publisher’s website.
| Title | Hokusai. Shunga |
| Author | Andreas Marks |
| Publisher | TASCHEN |
| Binding | Hardcover with slipcase |
| Pages | 480 pages |
| Language | German, English, French |
| Year | 2025 |
| Dimensions | 24.3 x 30.4 cm |
| ISBN | 978-3-8365-8528-6 |
| Price | 100 € |
Compliance
The book was kindly made available to us by the publisher. The presentation and rating of HYPERMADE remains independent of this and is based solely on the content of the book.
