Mountain Stream on a Summer Day

Nakabayashi Chikutō

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Born in Nagoya, the son of a doctor, Nakabayashi Chikutō moved to Kyoto in 1803 with fellow artist and friend Yamamoto Baiitsu (1783–1856) to join the circle of the philosopher-artist-poet Rai San’yō (1780–1832). After studying Chinese literati theory and technique, he developed a personal style that incorporated elements derived from the work of Chinese scholar-artists. In his inscription following the title of this painting, he notes that he modeled the work after the paintings of the Yuan-dynasty Chinese master Gao Kegong (1248–1310). Here, within a solid, centralized composition Chikutō created a sense of drama using intricate details that form lively patterns of dashlike brushwork. During the final years of his career, Chikutō withdrew to a studio on the outskirts of Kyoto, where he led a reclusive existence.

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