BOOK:Poem of the Pillow & Other Stories, Phaidon Publications
Shunga, such as the famous Japanese erotic pillow books, also known as spring images, were hugely popular, admired and explicit documents of sexual life, designed to inform, thrill and entertain. “Poem of the Pillow and Other Stories” by Phaidon Publications examines the artistic developments of Japanese erotic art from the ukiyo-e period, dating from the mid-17th Century to the end of the 19th Century. This book presents a comprehensive modern study on Japanese erotic art, illustrating a large selection of the best works from public as well as private collections from around the world. Gian Carlo Calzas text is accompanied by 350 color images, offering a great variety of examples from traditional Japanese erotica. The book comprises of a general introduction which sets the artists and their work in their social, historical and artistic context. The book is then organised by artist with a short text on each artist, introducing the illustrated works. The author references the latest in art historical scholarship, but this book is also aimed at readers who may not have specialist knowledge or extensive familiarity with Japanese culture.–Efi Michalarou
