Chūjō Noh Mask

Genkyu Michinaga

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Chūjō mask portrays Heian-period poet and nobleman Ariwara no Narihira (Zai Go-chūjō, 825–880). The expression represents that of an elegant, graceful aristocrat; however, the furrow on his forehead expresses grief. The mask could be worn for the role of a handsome young nobleman or that of an aristocratic warrior of the Heike clan who dies on the battlefield.

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