The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)

The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)

Gosōtei Hirosada 五粽亭広貞

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The play that inspired this triptych is loosely based on historical events that unfolded during the power struggle between two courtiers after the death of Emperor Yōmei in A.D. 587. Soga no Umako and Mononobe no Moriya (referred to in the play as Umako Daijin and Umaya Daijin respectively) clashed on who should succeed the deceased emperor. The violent quarrel resulted in Umako assassinating assassinating Moriya, with the intention of then replacing him with his own niece, Suiko, as empress. Concurring with historical fact, Empress Suiko’s brilliant nephew Prince Shōtoku was then appointed her regent.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)The Actors Mimasu Daigorō IV as Umako Daijin (right), Ichikawa Ebizō V as Umaya Daijin (center), and Jitsukawa Ensaburō as Prince Shōtoku (left)

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.