This tribute to a great collector reveals the distinctive features of Japanese art as viewed through the lens of fifty years of collecting: the sublime spirituality of Buddhist and Shinto art; the boldness of Zen ink painting; the imaginary world conjured up by the Tale of Genji and classical Japanese literature; the sumptuous colors of bird-and-flower painting; the subtlety of poetry, calligraphy, and literati themes; the aestheticized accoutrements of the tea ceremony; and the charming portraiture of courtesans from the "floating world" (ukiyo-e).

Credit: Exhibition Overview from the Metropolitan Museum website

Whether you go or not, Art Through a Lifetime: The Mary Griggs Burke Collection represents the only comprehensive documentation of one of the finest private collections of Asian art in the world. More than 1,000 works of art are shown infull-color reproductions. Since the collection has been dispersed to various museums, Art Through a Lifetime: The Mary Griggs Burke Collection  provides a singular opportunity to experience it in its entirety. The first volume of this boxed set presents Japanese paintings, printed works, and calligraphy that date from the Nara period to the late 20th century, while the second volume presents the remainder of the Japanese works - ceramics, lacquer, metalwork, sculpture, and textiles - along with an extensive array of Korean and Chinese works of art.