Kasuga Mandala

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

When the imperial court moved to Nara in the early eighth century, the Kasuga area became an important Shinto site. Here, the Kasuga Shrine and its environs are depicted in bird’s-eye perspective with Mount Mikasa, the sacred mountain, at top. Viewing this mandala could function as a virtual pilgrimage. Dedicated to the veneration of the Fujiwara clan’s tutelary kami, the Kasuga Shrine legitimized and strengthened the position of the family in politics and society.

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