Shunga (???) is a Japanese term for erotic art. Most shunga are a type of ukiyo-e; usually executed in woodblock print format. While rare; there are extant erotic painted handscrolls which predate the Ukiyo-e movement. Translated literally; the Japanese word shunga means picture of spring; 'spring' is a common euphemism for sex.

The ukiyo-e movement as a whole sought to express an idealisation of contemporary urban life and appeal to the new chonin class. Following the aesthetics of everyday life; Edo period shunga varied widely in its depictions of sexuality. As a subset of ukiyo-e it was enjoyed by all social groups in the Edo period; despite being out of favour with the shogunate. Almost all ukiyo-e artists made shunga at some point in their careers; and it did not detract from their prestige as artists. Classifying shunga as a kind of medieval pornography can be misleading in this respect. Pictures From History