Where can I see Su Dongpo in a Borrowed Hat (Tōba tairyū zu)?

Su Dongpo in a Borrowed Hat (Tōba tairyū zu) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Su Dongpo in a Borrowed Hat (Tōba tairyū zu)?

Su Dongpo in a Borrowed Hat (Tōba tairyū zu) is associated with Nanga.

Artwork

Su Dongpo in a Borrowed Hat (Tōba tairyū zu)

Su Dongpo in a Borrowed Hat (Tōba tairyū zu) is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1492 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

History & Provenance

It was included in the exhibition “Japanese Art from the Floating World to Modernism,” held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2023.

Created in 1483 in Japan, this painting is attributed to an unidentified artist. The work, titled Su Dongpo in a Borrowed Hat (also known as Tōba tairyū zu), entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently held. No specific details regarding its original commission, early ownership history, or the circumstances of its creation beyond the date and location are provided in the available records.

The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is catalogued as part of the museum’s holdings.

It was included in the exhibition “Japanese Art from the Floating World to Modernism,” held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2023.

Overview

Su Dongpo in a Borrowed Hat (Tōba tairyū zu) is an ink drawing that presents a solitary figure dressed in a long robe and a wide‑brimmed hat, supported by a cane. The composition is dominated by vertical bands of calligraphic script that occupy the space above the walking figure, set against a lightly textured paper background.

Subject & Meaning

The lone traveler appears relaxed yet slightly stooped, his hands resting on the cane as he moves forward. The hat bears a label in the calligraphy reading “borrowed,” suggesting a reference to a literary anecdote or cultural motif associated with the historical figure Su Dongpo.

Technique & Style

Executed in monochrome ink, the work employs a restrained, elegant brushstroke that delineates both the figure and the surrounding script. The calligraphic columns are rendered in fluid black strokes, contrasting with the subtle tonal variations of the paper, creating a harmonious balance between image and text.