Defeat of the Mongols in the Western Sea

Defeat of the Mongols in the Western Sea

Utagawa (Gountei) Sadahide

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Described at upper right in a text by journalist Sansantei Arindo (Jōno Saigiku; 1832–1902), this triptych imagines the destruction of Chinese Yuan-dynasty forces by typhoon after their attempted sea invasions in the late thirteenth century. Japanese forces gather on the beach holding banners, one of which features a red circle on a white ground with the Buddhist mantra “Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō” (Glory to the Lotus Sutra). According to legendary early modern accounts, the monk Nichiren created such a banner, which led to divine intervention on Japan’s behalf. In this triptych, three Shinto gods descend from the sky, bringing rain and lightning to destroy the invaders.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Defeat of the Mongols in the Western SeaDefeat of the Mongols in the Western SeaDefeat of the Mongols in the Western SeaDefeat of the Mongols in the Western SeaDefeat of the Mongols in the Western Sea

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.