Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art

Global conflicts endanger cultural heritage, from art and texts to music and rituals. This week, our Director Chase Robinson participated in a roundtable discussion at VOLTA Art Fair on cultural diplomacy, when he spoke about prioritizing the protection of cultural heritage through research and collaboration. Read more about what we're doing in this report: https://s.si.edu/3PVhZHT

When an imperial falcon becomes entangled in the branches of a willow tree during a hunt, a kindly man named Heitarō intervenes to prevent the tree from being cut down. Shortly after, he meets a beautiful woman, Oryū, who bears him a son. Several years later, woodcutters return for the tree, and this time they cannot be stopped. Before vanishing, Oryū, pictured here on the right, reveals herself to have been the grateful spirit of the willow all along—the swirling leaves around her hinting at her true nature. Visit these ill-fated lovers one last time in “Staging the Supernatural: Ghosts and the Theater in Japanese Prints” in Gallery 25, before the exhibition closes October 6, 2024: https://s.si.edu/3Q1RAqS Part of our #JapaneseArt collection. #SmithsonianAsianArt Images: Nakamura Tomijūrō II as the Wife (Nyōbō) Oryū, actually the Spirit of a Willow Tree (Yanagi no sei) (R), Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII as the Woodcutter (Kikori) Magosaku (C), and Nakamura Nakasuke II as the Villain (Warumono) Iwamatsu (L), Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865), Block carver: Ōta Tashichi (Komakichi) (act. ca. 1834–1882), Publisher: Kiya Sōjirō (act. 1851–1904), Japan, Edo period, 1854, 3rd month, Woodblock print; ink and color on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Pearl and Seymour Moskowitz Collection, S2021.5.521a–b

Join artist Emily Paluska September 12 when she will discuss her debut book, "Crafting Paper Flowers." Create your own gingko branch keepsake and get your book signed! https://s.si.edu/3X3XCfo #CuriosityWelcomed

🇰🇷 On September 21, celebrate #Chuseok, Korean Thanksgiving, with performances, food, crafts, community programming, and more! https://s.si.edu/3YWCER8 #SmithsonianAsianArt

Delve into a massive, boldly illustrated manuscript and journey through Iran’s history in "An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama," opening September 21! https://lnkd.in/geqba64A Image: Iskandar and the talking tree (detail), folio from the Great Mongol Shahnama (Book of kings), Iran, probably Tabriz, Ilkhanid dynasty, ca. 1330, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1935.23

#JobAlert: We are seeking a contractor to provide professional image and video research, high resolution file acquisition, and documentation for an oral history collection in our holdings. Tell a friend! https://s.si.edu/42E7tZi

#JobAlert: We are seeking a contractor to provide professional image and video research, high resolution file acquisition, and documentation for an oral history collection in our holdings. Tell a friend! https://s.si.edu/42E7tZi

Have you heard of the chilling Japanese tale of Oiwa, a ghost seeking revenge after her husband poisoned her and killed her father? Watch this video produced by TED-Ed, then meet Oiwa up close in "Staging the Supernatural," now on view: https://s.si.edu/3Q1RAqS #CuriosityWelcomed

For the second year in a row, our museum educators Kirsten Mallonee and Scarlett McCullough have won the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration's Pinnacle Award for their accomplishments in creating live, virtual field trips that have high educational value, actively involve learners at their level, and are professionally delivered. Please join us in congratulating Ms. Mallonee and Ms. McCullough! To learn more about our award-winning field trips, click here: https://s.si.edu/4dJlhqV #teachers | #homeschool | #winners | #edtech | #k12online #distancelearning

Our books and journals advance scholarship and celebrate our collections! Browse online resources, cutting-edge research, exhibition catalogues, collections guides, and more here: https://s.si.edu/4duqvHy #CuriosityWelcomed #SmithsonianAsianArt