Artwork preview

A Sage Fallen Asleep Over His Books

Yashima Gakutei

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A Japanese-style woodblock print depicting a man, wearing a traditional robe, asleep on a platform bed surrounded by books. The man rests on his side with one arm on his forehead in a room with brown walls and red trim. A tree grows from outside through an open window into the room. The tree's trunk leans across the room, and its branches are outside. The tree has sparse foliage. The room has tatami mats and sliding doors with a lattice pattern. A large scroll with Japanese writing hangs on the wall. The floor is made of wood. Red railings are along the edge of the platform. The border of the print has a red background with a gold swirling pattern.

Artwork Details

Date
ca. 1820
Medium
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Culture
Japan
Dimensions
559 × 624 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette