Sakata Kinpira Nyudo

Okumura Masanobu

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Masanobu combines the framed observer with another popular compositional device, the picture within a picture, for a humorous effect. Sakata Kinpira Nyudo is a legendary strong man in children's stories, in which he wrestles with wild beasts and goblins. Here he has been brought to the ground by drink. He leans his fierce head against a cask of sake; a giant, empty sake cup stands at his side. A painting of Daruma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, hangs in the alcove behind him. Legend has it that Daruma meditated for nine years, during which he resisted all manner of temptations with which demons besieged him. The irises below his portrait signify victory. Daruma gives this hero, who holds a string of Buddhist prayer beads in his hand, a reproachful look because of his lack of fortitude.

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