Yamauba and Kintarō Playing with a Cherry

Yamauba and Kintarō Playing with a Cherry

Kitagawa Utamaro 喜多川歌麿

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Humor and parody are central themes in Utamaro’s works, particularly in his depictions of these two figures. Yamauba can be recognized by her long face, bushy eyebrows, and unkempt hair. The mischievous, ruddy infant dislikes Yamauba’s mothering and is often shown mocking her tenderness.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Yamauba and Kintarō Playing with a CherryYamauba and Kintarō Playing with a CherryYamauba and Kintarō Playing with a CherryYamauba and Kintarō Playing with a CherryYamauba and Kintarō Playing with a Cherry

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.