Please note that some of these images are sexually explicit and may offend.
Translated literally, the Japanese word `shunga` means pictures of spring; spring being a common euphemism for sex. Shunga prints were enjoyed by men and women of all classes. Superstitions and customs surrounding shunga suggest this to us as it was considered a lucky charm against death for a Samurai to carry shunga (hence the postcard size of some of the prints) and it was considered a protection against fire in merchant warehouses and the home. From this we can deduce that samurai, Chonin (social class containing merchants and the like) and even housewives all owned shunga. It was traditional to present a bride with shunga.
After 1722 most artists refrained from signing shunga as an edict made it necessary to have permission from the city commissioner to print them which naturally forced many underground. Some of the artists circumvented this by `hiding` their signatures on fans, screens and the like. The story of each shunga can be found in the accompanying texts within the pictures themselves and in the symbols of the props in the background. Symbolism featured widely which would have been understood by the viewers at the time. Such as the use of plum blossoms to represent virginity or tissues to indicate ejaculation. There were obvious symbols as cherries and others such as plums which represented older men who ripened with age, chrysanthemums symbolized the anus and azaleas homosexual love.
For further in-depth information we recommend reading `Sex and the Floating World. Erotic Images in Japan 1700-1820` written by Timon Screech.