A Song of Unending Sorrow (Chōgonka)

Konoe Nobutada

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

A passage from A Song of Unending Sorrow, by the Chinese poet Bai Juyi (772–846), is brushed in the distinctive style associated with Konoe Nobutada, who was renowned for his highly expressive cursive calligraphy. The extended poem, recounting the tragic story of how the Emperor Xuanzong’s control of the empire was undone by his love for Lady Yang Guifei, resonated with members of palace circles from ancient times onward.

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