Palindromic Poems (Kaibunka): Edo

Torii Kiyomitsu

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In the center panel of this triptych, the actor Segawa Kikunojō stands with a pipe in his hand and a smoking set and a surimono print at his feet. Through the window, wisteria and pine are visible in the background. The palindrome goes: Nagaki yo no too no nefuri no mina me same nami nori fune no oto no yo kikana Through the long night on the distant shore those sleeping are all awakened, perhaps by the sound of the boat carried across the waves.

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