by Hou-mei Sung, Ph.D, 宋后楣 Curator of East Asian Art

6/5/2025

East Asian Art, Japanese Art, painting

This summer, the East Asian department awaits the arrival of 40 Japanese paintings from Dr. Toshihide Hirose of Hirosaki, Japan.

by e.m.i., Digital Content Manager

6/6/2024

East Asian Art, Cincinnati

In 2023 the City of Cincinnati proclaimed June 8 to be Dr. Hou-mei Sung Day, in honor of the museum’s curator of East Asian Art.

by Eric Hughett, Curatorial Assistant of East Asian Art

4/16/2024

Year of the Dragon, Zodiac, East Asian Art

2024 is the Year of the Dragon, according to the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, which presents a perfect opportunity to look at Chinese dragons as a theme in East Asian art.

by Hou-mei Sung, Curator of East Asian Art

9/1/2022

Magic Mirror, Transparent Mirror, Han Dynasty, East Asian Art, Amitabha, Amida Buddha, Buddhism

When placed in sunlight, the mirror projects the decorative design on the back of the mirror and seems to become transparent.

by Hou-mei Sung, Curator of East Asian Art

2/1/2022

Korean Tiger Painting, East Asian Art, Tiger and Cubs, Buddhist painting, chinese paintings, Joseon dynasty

As the king of beasts in China, the tiger is also one of the oldest and most meaningful animal subjects in Chinese painting. Here, the unidentified artist portrays a large tigress sitting under an old pine tree.

by Lynne Pearson, Curatorial Assistant, East Asian Art

8/25/2021

Laughing Buddha, Seven Lucky Gods, Hotei, East Asian Art, Walter and Vanida Davison, Hou-Mei Sung, Enduring Beauty: East Asian Lacquer, Tsuchiya Gado, prints

Earlier this year, longtime donors Walter and Vanida Davison gifted the Art Museum this beautiful 20th century Japanese painting depicting the Buddhist deity Hotei from their family art collection. Who is Hotei?

by By Dr. Hou-mei Sung

3/29/2021

Utagawa Kōshū, 歌川珖舟, Japanese Spring Festivals, East Asian Art, Hanging Scroll

Doll-like figures celebrate major Japanese spring festivals in this breathtaking 19th century masterpiece.