1880–1890 – Comical Shunga: Phallic Contest
 
Authentic original Japanese shunga woodblock print dating from the Meiji Period (c.1880–1890), by an anonymous artist.
 
Dimensions: Approximately 17 × 17 cm.
 
A delightful and humorous shunga composition depicting two men presenting themselves before a smiling female judge in what appears to be a playful phallic contest—a lighthearted theme occasionally encountered in Japanese erotic art.  Rather than emphasizing sensuality alone, works such as this reveal shunga's enduring appreciation for satire, wit, and exaggerated human comedy.
 
Executed in a bold, economical brush style with expressive figures, the print possesses a distinctly spontaneous character that enhances its comic appeal.
 
The print retains pleasing original color, good impressions, and is in good overall condition for its age with a bit of ink spotting splashed about.  It is unbacked.
 
An uncommon example of whimsical Meiji-period shunga, illustrating the playful imagination and humor that make Japanese erotic art so much more than simple erotic imagery.