Kawaraban with Map (1 results)

Folded black and white kawaraban woodblock with map showing Tokyo's red light districts. 30.3 x 39.4cm. Light rubbing in one place upper margin, a little worming and small closed tear in lower margin. Sheet has been backed with washi. Good copy. This late Edo period kawaraban print provides a wealth of information on the diverse aspects of sexual behaviour and attraction between men and women during this era. Following the traditional kawaraban style, the print offers a detailed and varied glimpse into the lives of the time. A fascinating map of Edo's red-light districts, playfully drawn with phallus-shaped lines, occupies the lower centre. Eight different types of sexual toys are displayed on the left, while service fees for brothels are listed above the map. The print even delves into compatibility between the sexes based on zodiac signs, along with methods for predicting a baby's sex before birth. During the Edo period, eroticism was viewed as another form of popular entertainment, particularly for men, and was widely accepted as a pastime for adults.…