The three perfections

1 Aug 2024 — 3 Aug 2025 at The Metropolitan Arts Centre in Belfast, United Kingdom

29 October 2024

Inscription traditionally attributed to Emperor Godaigo, Portrait of Minamoto no Muneyuki, from the “Fujifusa Version of the handscroll of thirty-six poetic immortals”, early 15th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

In East Asian cultures, the arts of poetry, calligraphy, and painting are traditionally referred to as the *Three perfections.” This exhibition presents over 160 rare and precious works—all created in Japan over the course of nearly a millennium—that showcase the power and complexity of the three forms of art.

Examples include folding screens with poems brushed on sumptuous decorated papers, dynamic calligraphy by Zen monks of medieval Kyoto, hanging scrolls with paintings and inscriptions alluding to Chinese and Japanese literary classics, ceramics used for tea gatherings, and much more.

The majority of the works are among the more than 250 examples of Japanese painting and calligraphy donated or promised to The Met by Mary and Cheney Cowles, whose collection is one of the finest and most comprehensive assemblages of Japanese art outside Japan.

The exhibition is made possible by The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Foundation Fund.

The Metropolitan Arts Centre

The award-winning venue in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter is home to all kinds of exhibitions, theatre performances, experimental works and endless goings-on.

Place profile

Location

Belfast, United Kingdom

Founded in

2012

Shūsei, Monju on a lion, late 15th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jūichimen Kannon, the Bodhisattva of compassion with eleven heads (Avalokiteshvara), mid- to late 14th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Okada Hankō, Autumn festival in the mountains, first half 19th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Shūsei, Monju on a lion, late 15th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Jūichimen Kannon, the Bodhisattva of compassion with eleven heads (Avalokiteshvara), mid- to late 14th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Okada Hankō, Autumn festival in the mountains, first half 19th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Jūichimen Kannon, the Bodhisattva of compassion with eleven heads (Avalokiteshvara), mid- to late 14th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Okada Hankō, Autumn festival in the mountains, first half 19th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Shūsei, Monju on a lion, late 15th century. Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art