The Four Accomplishments (Kinkishoga)

Kitagawa Utamaro

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Four Elegant Accomplishments were the highly esteemed cultural activities of Chinese literati. Here, Utamaro parodies the venerable tradition by setting a contemporary version in an Edo pleasure house. Instead of learned gentlemen, renowned courtesans practice calligraphy, play the Chinese board game go, perform on the lute, and paint pictures. Although the Four Accomplishments were traditionally depicted with equal emphasis, the perspectival arrangement of this print clearly favors painting over the other activities, which recede into the background.

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