The hand-painted shunga "Shunshoku Higi Cho" by Katsushika Hokusai was

put up for auction in Paris in 2012 as part of the former collection of De Sturler.

 

De Sturler was the head of the Dutch trading post in Dejima, Nagasaki, during the late Edo period and is known for

his association with Siebold, the renowned physician regarded as a pioneer of Western studies.

 

In 1826, De Sturler received this hand-painted shunga alongside Siebold.

This 6-meter-long, 12-piece shunga collection had never been publicly displayed before.

Now owned by a Japanese collector, negotiations led to the arrangement of this world premiere in Tokyo,

marking its first public presentation after nearly 200 years.

 

The event was held in the most luxurious suite at the BVLGARI Hotel Tokyo, the Bvlgari Suite,

gathering invited guests from both Japan and abroad.

In one of the suite’s rooms, a concurrent exhibition of Japanese swords was held, featuring treasures of national importance, including swords passed down through the Uesugi family, known for Uesugi Kenshin, presented with the cooperation of the Japan Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords.

 

The event commenced with a shakuhachi performance and was complemented by finger foods curated by Niccolò Mito, creating a profound occasion for deepening the appreciation of Japan’s artistic and cultural heritage.