Round Tray

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The underside and curved rim of this tray, with a low wide ring foot, are lacquered to a glossy black that contrasts with the red surface. Inscribed in red lacquer on the black underside is the name of the Tōdaiji temple. Such objects, familiarly known as "rising sun trays" (Hinomaru-bon) after their resemblance to the Japanese national flag, are used to serve meals to monks during the two-week shuni-e ritual of purification performed annually at the Hokkedō hall in the Tōdaiji temple complex in Nara. The ceremony marks the beginning of the Buddhist liturgical calendar and invokes peace and prosperity for the nation.

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