Surrealist, Poetic Vanity - Gouache Japan Circa 1950

In the eye sockets of this incredible vanity on a blood-red background, small nymphs bloom. This is a mock-up cover of an erotic police magazine from the 1945-50s. These so-called "Kasturi Magazine (Kasturi Zashi)" magazines were published in Japan after the end of the Pacific War, when publishing was liberalized. Printed on poor quality paper, the content was a mixture of erotica, prostitution, gore, macabre and crime. The name was derived from the cheap liquor Kastri, which was said to overwhelm the drinker after three glasses. The Kasturi magazine boom occurred between 1946 - 1949. Many were banned for lewd incitement. This is “Criminal Reading” which lasted until 1965. Unsigned gouache, mounted on cardboard, with a protective tracing flap. A mark on the skull, and two transverse lines of humidity. thanks MzM for help with the translation.