Each volume 8 5/8 x 6 ins. (21.9 x 15.2 cms) The title of this complete set of books is Nyogo no Shima. Takara Irifune (The Island of Women and the Treasure Ship). The collation as follows; Vol.1. 1pp. coloured frontis. of 3 cranes; 3 pp. preface with coloured background design; 8 numbered double page coloured illustrations; 1pp. coloured design of 3 turtles parodying musicians; 8 numbered pp. black and white text.  Vol.2. 1pp. coloured frontis. of bamboo and pine; 5 numbered double page coloured illustrations; 1pp. coloured design of prunus branch; 8 numbered pp. black and white text. Vol.3. 1pp. coloured frontis. of 2 ceremonial sake vessels; 4 numbered double page coloured illustrations; 1pp. coloured design of bonsai arrangement; 8 pp. numbered black and white text.                          

The theme of 3 sailors shipwrecked on an island of women is an enduring one in Japanese erotic literature. The story starts with a street scene outside a shop followed by an illustration of a large ship with a small boat with fishermen in the foreground. The third plate is what one might call the beginning of the action where the 3 shipwrecked sailors are displaying their male attributes for the delectation of the assembled women. There are a total of 17 double page illustrations. Apart from the obvious the illustrations are also notable for the backgrounds which display a variety of odd looking objects and designs. The object of the artist is clearly to indicate that the mariners have fetched up in a foreign country. The women's costumes are of Chinese influence, there is a scene with a background of a seascape with shipping revealed between Western style stone pillars, a couple in one scene are romping on a carpet with a design of what is intended to be a rug with a design based on the Western alphabet. The artist appears to have used elements from Chinese, Korean and possibly Ryukyuan cultures. The orgy scene has 2 large tortoiseshell dildos in the background. 

The style of the designs are clearly Utagawa school and are either by Kuniyoshi, who was very interested in foreign influences, or by a follower of Kuniyoshi. As usual with shunga the artist's name is not given. Although, as usual, not dated, the volumes were clearly produce in the 1850's. All 3 volumes are in good sound condition, the covers are soiled, as are the bottom corners of the pages. The first page of the preface has some foxing but, unusually, there is no worming.  

*** TO ORDER THIS ITEM PLEASE EMAIL US QUOTING OUR STOCK NUMBER (see above) - WE SHALL THEN EMAIL YOU BACK WITH POSTAGE COSTS AND PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS ***

*** FOR FULL DETAILS OF OUR GUARANTEE AND PAYMENT OPTIONS, PLEASE CLICK ON "Buying from us - All you need to know" ON OUR HOME PAGE ***