Amorous Couple

Okumura Masanobu

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A man and a woman sit on the veranda of a teahouse smoking long pipes. Their intimate exchange draws the attention of an errand boy who turns his head on his way past with a load of books. The depiction of amorous couples is a popular theme in ukiyo-e prints. The inclusion of this youthful observer introduces a note of curiosity mixed with envy, while indicating that the scene is taking place in public.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art