Immortal Poet
17th century
Medium
Unmounted shikisi leaf; ink and color on silk
Dimensions
7 1/4 × 6 1/2 in. (18.4 × 16.5 cm)
Classification
Paintings
Culture & Period
Japan · Edo period (1615–1868)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Estate of Samuel Isham, 1914
Accession Number
14.140.22
Tags
Art Historical Context
Discover the enchanting *Immortal Poet* by Shōun, a 17th-century work from Japan's Edo period (16151868). Created by an artist from the esteemed Kano school—one of Japan's most influential painting lineages known for its bold, decorative style blending Chinese ink techniques with vibrant colors—this intimate painting captures a revered male poet, evoking timeless themes of literary immortality and spiritual transcendence. The Edo era, a time of relative peace under the Tokugawa shogunate, saw a flourishing of arts patronized by samurai elites, making pieces like this cherished treasures in pri...
About the Artist
Kano Shōun (Japanese) · 1637 –1702
1637–1702