Mishima Gō
Man Lying on Stomach (from Wakamono)

Name: Mishima Gō Man Lying on Stomach (from Wakamono)
SKU: NG-001
Availability: InStock

Rare gay erotic lithograph by Mishima Gō from his book Wakamono, depicting a muscular man lying on his stomach.

Tecnique
Original lithograph on paper, printed in monochrome tones, typical of Mishima’s refined graphic style. This piece likely comes from a limited print run included in the artbook Wakamono, published during the latter half of the 20th century.

Dimensions
29,8 cm x 42 cm (approx., closed book)

Edition
From the artbook Wakamono (若者), a postwar publication collecting Mishima Gō’s representative works. While not numbered, this print belongs to a first or early edition, issued in small batches and now hard to find. The book itself was not widely distributed and is considered a scarce collector’s item.

Condition
Fair to acceptable condition overall.
There are visible signs of age, including minor stains and surface discoloration, especially near the edges. Paper may show light creasing or toning consistent with vintage prints. However, the image remains clear, bold, and visually intact, retaining the emotional and aesthetic power of the original composition.

Provenance
From a Japanese private collection, acquired during the late Shōwa period. This work has since remained in careful storage and has not been exhibited publicly in recent years.

375,00 €

SKUNG-001 CategoryUnframed

Description

This lithograph, titled “Man Lying on Stomach”, comes from the rare art book Wakamono (若者, Youth) by Japanese artist Mishima Gō (三島剛, 1924–1988). Created during the Shōwa period (1926–1989), this work reflects the bold visual identity of one of Japan’s most influential queer artists. Measuring approximately 29.8 × 42 cm, the piece is printed on paper and shows signs of age but retains strong visual presence.

The composition features a muscular young man, nude and lying face-down. Rendered in a style that combines traditional Japanese linework with modern erotic expression, the image is sensual but never vulgar. Mishima’s approach elevates the male form, presenting it with both strength and tenderness. His figures often carry a silent melancholy, expressing themes of solitude, vulnerability, and desire—emotions often hidden beneath society’s surface.

Mishima Gō is widely recognized as a pioneer of gay erotic art in Japan, particularly active from the postwar years into the 1980s. His art emerged during a time when queer visibility was still suppressed, and yet his works gave voice to a generation of men navigating identity in private. His depictions of young Japanese men—often in scenes of rest, tension, or intimacy—formed a visual language that resonated with a growing gay subculture. Wakamono (Youth), the book from which this print originates, stands as one of his most iconic collections, celebrating both the beauty and inner life of young male subjects.

Beyond eroticism, Mishima’s work offers a sociocultural testimony. His drawings speak to experiences of marginalization, emotional isolation, and the human need for connection. His legacy has gained renewed attention through recent exhibitions, including the “LECTURA DE POESÍA” show held in Tokyo, where his prints were shown in dialogue with contemporary voices such as Kari DeWitt.

This particular print is in fair condition, with visible aging and minor stains consistent with its age. Despite that, it remains a rare and valuable artifact of postwar queer Japanese art. Collectors and institutions alike appreciate Mishima not only for his artistic skill but also for his role in shaping the visual culture of early LGBTQ+ communities in Japan.