THE POEM OF THE PILLOW [Utamakura]; The Japanese Methods

Mandel, Gabriele

ISBN 10: 0907853013 / ISBN 13: 9780907853015

Published by Liber, Fribourg, 1984

About this Item

4to, black cloth over boards, orange endpapers, color illustrations throughout, Mylar-protected unclipped dust jacket with ccolorful Japanese lovers, 79 pages. The "pillow" or makura was a small wooden box with drawers used by women as a pillow in order to suspend their elaborate hairdos. "To pillow" is also a Japanese expression for having sexual intercourse. Early "pillow books" were adapted from Chinese texts and included information on hygiene. Later, they incorporated poems of commandments and included erotic images. The illustrations of sensual pleasure selected for this book have been extracted from examples by masters of Japanese erotic art. Often exaggerated, humorous, and fantastical, these collections of erotic images, exotic positions, and vigorous, unashamed love-making became huge best sellers. (As shunga, the penis (matsuke: lit. "mushroom") and female genitals (bobo kai: the name of a shell) were also often hugely exaggerated in size.) Such examples of "pillowing" were often given to brides on their wedding day as instruction manuals. Executed in intricate detail, these illustrations have become some of the finest depictions of erotica ever made. This anthology features reproductions of woodblock prints, scrolls, and paintings as well as a medley of often amusing shunga. In exceptional condition internally and externally.

Seller Inventory # 271

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE POEM OF THE PILLOW [Utamakura]; The Japanese Methods
• Publisher: Liber, Fribourg
• Publication Date: 1984
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0907853013
• ISBN 13: 9780907853015
• Binding: Cloth
• Illustrator: Colored & B&W
• Edition: Early Illustrated Anthology.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Eroticism

About this title

Synopsis

AN EXCELLENT INSIGHT TO JAPANESE EROTIC PRINTS & BOOKS This work draws heavily on the "Pillow Book" by Sei Shonagon a 12th century woman author. The text is addressed as advice for wives in terms of hygiene and as a guide on love making. Utilizing 19th century illustrated erotic books (Shunga) to support the point, this work abounds in conjugal pleasure. The commentaries are excellent, giving useful advice and assistance on what and how. A graphic work devoted to the Japanese art of love making.