Netsuke with Fox and Drum from the Kabuki Play "Yoshsitsune Senbon-Zakura"

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This netsuke shows a scene from the Kabuki play Yoshitsune Senbon-Zakura. Tadanobu, a fox in human form served as a faithful retainer to the Minamoto military leader Yoshitsune. After the Minamoto victory over the Heike clan, Yoshitsune fell into a power struggle with his brother and was forced to flee. Tadanobu brought Shizuka, a noted dancer who was also Yoshitsune's love, to his hiding place in Yoshino. Shizuka carried with her the drum known as "Hatsure", which was made from the skin of Tadanobu's parents. After Yoshitsune discovered Tadanobu's real identity, he presented him with the drum.

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