It’s Not Just the Stingray! The Wildest Non-Human Creatures in Japanese Shunga History!

When people think of shunga (erotic ukiyo-e prints), they usually imagine scenes of human intimacy. However, Japan’s erotic art history goes beyond the usual—venturing into the realm of non-human encounters.

What is Shunga?

Shunga is a form of traditional Japanese erotic art, specifically a genre of ukiyo-e that features explicit depictions of sexuality.

In the Edo period, shunga was enjoyed much like modern adult content—as a form of entertainment. It was also sometimes used as a guide for newlyweds to learn about intimacy. However, shunga was not just about realism; many prints incorporated humor, fantasy, and exaggerated elements, making them more than just erotic images.

Today, we’re diving into some of the most bizarre and jaw-dropping shunga prints that depict something other than human partners. Some are humorous, some are unsettling, and all of them will make you rethink what you thought you knew about Edo-period sexuality!

1. Stingray

『御覧男女姿（Ominamesi）』 – 勝川春英（Shun’ei Katsukawa）

Recently, a particular shunga print featuring a stingray has been making waves (pun intended) overseas. Katsukawa Shun’ei’s Ominameshi illustrates an intimate moment between a human and… well, a stingray.

It’s safe to say that most modern Japanese people would find this concept completely unfathomable. But apparently, someone in the Edo period took one look at a stingray and thought, Yeah, I’d hit that.

2. Octopus

『喜能会之故真通（Kinoe no Komatsu）』 – 葛飾北斎(Hokusai Katushika)

The most famous “non-human shunga” has to be Katsushika Hokusai’s legendary The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife (aka Kinoe no Komatsu). Featuring an amorous encounter between a diver and two octopuses, this piece is as artistically stunning as it is shocking.

Unlike some of the other works on this list, Hokusai’s composition is undeniably beautiful, with flowing lines and a hypnotic rhythm. No wonder it continues to fascinate audiences even today!

3. Horse

 『センリキヤウ(Senrikiyou)』 – 歌川国虎(Kunitora Utagawa)

Now, let’s talk about something really unsettling—Utagawa Kunitora’s Senrikyō, which features a horse with an intensely suggestive expression.

We’re not just talking about a standard depiction of animal intimacy here. No, this horse has a downright lecherous grin, as if it’s fully aware of what’s happening and into it. That’s right—this print doesn’t just feature an animal, it features an animal that wants it.

4. Bizarre Elephant Monster

『馬鹿本草(Baka Honzō)』 – 磯田湖龍斎(Koryūsai Isoda)

Isoda Koryūsai’s Baka Honzō takes things to an entirely new level of weird. At first glance, you might think this is just a strange-looking elephant… until you realize that its legs are actually giant phallic shapes.

That’s right—this isn’t a simple human-animal encounter. This is a full-on nightmare fuel creature. One can only imagine the fever dream that led to this concept.

5. Giant

『画図玉藻譚(Gazugyoku soudan)』 – 渓斎英泉(Eisen Keisai)

Giants in shunga? Believe it or not, Edo-period artists were way ahead of modern hentai trends. Keisai Eisen’s Gazugyoku soudan features a massive humanoid figure engaging in some extracurricular activities.

If you thought “giant fetish” was a recent development in adult comics, think again. Apparently, the Edo period had its own take on Attack on Titan—but with significantly fewer clothes.

6. Skeleton

『妖怪見立陰陽画帖(Yōkai mitate Inyō Gazyō)』 – 歌川国芳(Kuniyosi Utagawa)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s Yōkai mitate Inyō Gazyō features a skeleton in an unexpectedly intimate context.

At first, it just looks like a typical Edo-period monster print. But as your eyes move downward, you suddenly realize—wait a second—that bone structure is very anatomically suggestive. Yep, even in death, some skeletons just can’t let go of their earthly desires.

7. Amanojaku

『春色初音之六女(Shunshoku Hatsune no Ume)』 – 歌川国貞(Kunisada Utagawa)

If you thought Amanojaku were just mischievous trickster spirits, think again. Utagawa Kunisada’s Shunshoku Hatsune no Ume features one of the strangest takes on this legendary being.

Unlike the traditional humanoid depictions, this Amanojaku has its face swapped with its genitals. Yes, you read that correctly. This isn’t just another Edo-period monster—it’s a nightmare that looks like a rejected Silent Hill creature.

８. Other Bizarre Creatures

『妖怪見立陰陽画帖(Yōkai mitate Inyō Gazyō)』 – 歌川国芳(Kuniyosi Utagawa)

『回談情山入（Kaidan nasakeno yamairi）』 – 菊川英山(Eizan kikukawa)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s Yōkai Mitate Inmyō Gazyō and Kikugawa Eizan’s Kaidan Nasakeo Ymairi depict strange, non-human creatures that defy explanation.

What makes these particularly unsettling is that they are not just monstrous beings—they are creatures shaped like male and female genitalia. Their eerie, otherworldly appearance gives the impression of something from a nightmare rather than an erotic fantasy. These prints showcase the Edo period’s astonishingly uninhibited imagination when it came to sexuality and artistic expression.

Final Thoughts

Japanese shunga wasn’t just about intimacy—it was about pushing creative boundaries. These works show us a different side of Edo-period imagination—one that ventured into the absurd, the surreal, and sometimes the downright terrifying.

It’s no surprise that people today are still fascinated (and sometimes horrified) by these prints. They challenge our ideas of erotic art, humor, and the sheer WTF-ness of history.

So, which one of these shunga masterpieces shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments!

Epilogue

While shunga is rarely discussed in modern Japan, it remains a fascinating part of the country’s cultural history. If you’re interested in more bizarre or unexpected aspects of Japan’s past, stay tuned for the next deep dive into Edo-era weirdness!