Kimono with Cockscomb Flowers

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The early twentieth century saw an interest in objective, near-photographic naturalism in yūzen-dyed and painted kimono patterns, such as the stand of cockscomb flowers on the lower half of this robe. In English and Japanese, the name of the showy cockscomb flower, or keitō (literally, “chicken’s head”), celebrates the flamboyant head of the rooster. The pattern on this robe could almost serve as an illustration of a 1915 poem by Nagatsuka Takashi (1879–1915), who was known for his acute sensitivity to the progression of the seasons: Keitō wa hietaki aki no hi ni haete iyo-iyo akaku sae ni keru kamo Cockscomb flowers responding to the chill of autumn days will turn even redder when the sun comes up. —Trans. John T. Carpenter

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