Aloha, and welcome to Tongue in Cheek: Erotic Art in 19th-Century Japan. I’m Stephan Jost, Director of the Honolulu Museum of Art.

This is the second of three exhibitions that discuss the sexual culture of Japan as it is reflected in Japanese art. Last year’s groundbreaking exhibition, Arts of the Bedchamber: Japanese Shunga, focused on the origins of shunga – that is, Japanese erotic art – in the 17th and 18th century. This year’s exhibition continues that story, describing how renowned artists such as Katsushika Hokusai revitalized the genre of shunga during the 19th century. Some aspects of 19th century shunga that will be discussed here include humor and parody, supernatural narratives, depictions of foreigners, and references to Japan’s evolving sex industry.

Please be aware that this exhibition is not intended for viewers below the age of 18, nor is it intended for those viewers who are offended by frank discussions and graphic depictions of sexuality.

Tongue in Cheek: Erotic Art in 19th-Century Japan was curated by Shawn Eichman and Stephen Salel, curators on staff here at the Honolulu Museum of Art.