Young Nobleman Playing Koto (Harp) 19th century

Kubo Shunman's "Young Nobleman Playing Koto (Harp)" depicts a nobleman in traditional Japanese attire playing a koto, a traditional Japanese harp, with delicate brushstrokes. The scene is set against a backdrop of soft mountains, and the nobleman's elegant posture highlights the serenity of the act of music making. The image, a 19th-century woodblock print, provides a glimpse into the refined world of Japanese courtly life, showcasing both the beauty of the musical instrument and the skill of the artist. This particular piece is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York.