From February 14 (Sat) to March 15 (Sun), 2026, “A Small Love Story: The World of Mameban Shunga Shinjuku Kabukicho Shunga Exhibition WA: 1.5 Edition (Bridging Chapter)” will be held at BOND in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district.
This exhibition serves as a precursor to the second Shinjuku Kabukicho Shunga Exhibition WA, “A Contest of Allure: Shunga by Hokusai and Eisen — Kabukicho in Full Bloom“, scheduled for April 2026. As 1.5 Edition or Bridging Chapter, it connects the first showing with the upcoming one, offering a glimpse into the playful and intimate world of Edo-period Mameban Shunga.
With the full support of renowned ukiyo-e collector Mitsuru Uragami, the exhibition features around 100 palm-sized erotic woodblock prints, which were beloved as pop culture in Edo, enjoyed by everyone from common townspeople to feudal lords. Curated by Yasutaka Hayashi of Chim↑Pom from Smappa!Group, the show highlights the intimate and humorous depictions of love captured within these tiny, detailed prints.
Playfulness in the Palm of Your Hand
Mameban Shunga, Late Edo Period, life-size sample from the Uragami Sōkyūdō Collection
Mameban shunga are small, multicolored woodblock prints about the size of the palm, essentially miniature erotic ukiyo-e prints. The standard size was roughly 9 cm tall by 12.3 cm wide, and many were originally sold in sets of 12, tucked into small bags. Affordable and easy to handle, they were enjoyed by everyone from common townspeople to feudal lords.
In the Edo period, alongside official shogunate calendars, people also circulated private picture calendars (egoyomi) and sets of large and small prints (daishō) at New Year, much like modern greeting cards. This playful tradition is thought to have inspired erotic daishō prints and, eventually, the tiny, palm-sized mameban shunga.
Who made these prints, why, and with what passion remains largely a mystery, but part of their charm lies in imagining the world of Edo-era collectors and artists and how they shared, traded, and enjoyed these tiny works of art in everyday life.
All mameban shunga, Late Edo Period, from the Uragami Sōkyūdō Collection
Take Home a Piece of the Exhibition with Official Merch
Merchandise inspired by the exhibition is not to be missed. These items let you enjoy the art beyond the gallery, bringing shunga into your everyday life.
A Small Love Story: The World of Mameban Shunga Shinjuku Kabukicho Shunga Exhibition WA: 1.5 Edition (Bridging Chapter)
Dates: February 14 (Sat) – March 15 (Sun), 2026, open daily
Hours: 11:00 – 19:00 (open until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; last entry 30 minutes before closing)
Venue: BOND, 9F Kabukicho Social Building, 1-2-15 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo
Website: https://www.smappa.net/shunga/
Instagram: @shunga_kabukicho
X (Twitter): @KabukichoShunga
