“An Imperial Excursion” (Miyuki), “A Boat Cast Adrift” (Ukifune), and “The Barrier Gate” (Sekiya)

“An Imperial Excursion” (Miyuki), “A Boat Cast Adrift” (Ukifune), and “The Barrier Gate” (Sekiya)

Tosa Mitsuyoshi

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Originally mounted on sliding-door panels, these screens once formed two walls of a Genji room. They demonstrate how Genji paintings, with their origins in small formats, were transformed into panoramic architectural programs, here depicting three outdoor scenes within a unified, expansive landscape. The dynamic composition and lavish use of gold epitomize the spectacular large-scale works commonly associated with Momoyama painting, while Tosa Mitsuyoshi’s fine craftsmanship and decorative tendencies are evident in the elaborate gold clouds, some of which contain the small squares of gold foil and gold dust characteristic of his miniature works. On the right is a falconry expedition by Emperor Reizei in Oharano. In the lower left corner is the famous scene of Ukifune and Niou traversing the Uji River in a boat.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

“An Imperial Excursion” (Miyuki), “A Boat Cast Adrift” (Ukifune), and “The Barrier Gate” (Sekiya)“An Imperial Excursion” (Miyuki), “A Boat Cast Adrift” (Ukifune), and “The Barrier Gate” (Sekiya)“An Imperial Excursion” (Miyuki), “A Boat Cast Adrift” (Ukifune), and “The Barrier Gate” (Sekiya)“An Imperial Excursion” (Miyuki), “A Boat Cast Adrift” (Ukifune), and “The Barrier Gate” (Sekiya)“An Imperial Excursion” (Miyuki), “A Boat Cast Adrift” (Ukifune), and “The Barrier Gate” (Sekiya)

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.