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Enso by the monk Ryoryosai Koshuku. The enso, a hand-drawn circle that is completed in one stroke, symbolizes the moment of enlightenment in Japanese Zen Buddhism. Late 18th–early 19th century CE, now housed at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art in New York

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Enso by the monk Ryoryosai Koshuku. The enso, a hand-drawn circle that is completed in one stroke, symbolizes the moment of enlightenment in Japanese Zen Buddhism. Late 18th–early 19th century CE, now housed at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art in New York

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A Japanese ivory netsuke depicting a buaku mask. 18th-19th century CE, now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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A Japanese ivory netsuke depicting a buaku mask. 18th-19th century CE, now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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A wooden staff or club with bone inlay, from Easter Island, late 19th-early 20th century CE, now housed at the Honolulu Museum of Art in Hawaiʻi

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A wooden staff or club with bone inlay, from Easter Island, late 19th-early 20th century CE, now housed at the Honolulu Museum of Art in Hawaiʻi

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An ancient Chinese incense burner. Stoneware, with clear glaze and modeled dragons and lotus petals. Sui to early Tang dynasty, late 6th–7th century CE. Now housed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

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An ancient Chinese incense burner. Stoneware, with clear glaze and modeled dragons and lotus petals. Sui to early Tang dynasty, late 6th–7th century CE. Now housed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston

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A 19th century CE painting of a maple tree, by Sakai Hoitsu . Now housed at the Nomura Art Museum in Kyoto, Japan

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A 19th century CE painting of a maple tree, by Sakai Hoitsu . Now housed at the Nomura Art Museum in Kyoto, Japan

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A mid-19th century CE Japanese ivory netsuke depicting Minamoto no Mitsunaka killing a demon. Made by Kazushige, now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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A mid-19th century CE Japanese ivory netsuke depicting Minamoto no Mitsunaka killing a demon. Made by Kazushige, now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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Buddhist Jewel of Wisdom Carved with the Isle of the Immortals. , made of ivory, from Japan, mid- to late 19th century CE, now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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Buddhist Jewel of Wisdom Carved with the Isle of the Immortals. , made of ivory, from Japan, mid- to late 19th century CE, now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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A 19th century Japanese netsuke depicting a Kappa mask. Stag antler with hide, inlays. Now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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A 19th century Japanese netsuke depicting a Kappa mask. Stag antler with hide, inlays. Now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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A 19th century CE Japanese netsuke made of ebony with inlays, depicting an owl attacking a bat. Now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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A 19th century CE Japanese netsuke made of ebony with inlays, depicting an owl attacking a bat. Now housed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

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A Byzantine ivory triptych with Dèesis and Saint. From Constantinople, late 10th-early 11th century CE, now housed at the Vatican Museum

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A Byzantine ivory triptych with Dèesis and Saint. From Constantinople, late 10th-early 11th century CE, now housed at the Vatican Museum

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Japanese ivory netsuke in the shape of a man heralding the New Year, Edo period, 18th-19th century, Bern History Museum. In Japanese art, netsuke are wooden or ivory figurines used as a fastener to secure pouches or other items on the belt.

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Japanese ivory netsuke in the shape of a man heralding the New Year, Edo period, 18th-19th century, Bern History Museum. In Japanese art, netsuke are wooden or ivory figurines used as a fastener to secure pouches or other items on the belt.

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A pietra dura table top from Rome. Made of hardstones, alabaster, and marble. Late 16th or early 17th century CE, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum

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A pietra dura table top from Rome. Made of hardstones, alabaster, and marble. Late 16th or early 17th century CE, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum

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A late 19th century CE Japanese ivory netsuke depicting the final episode of the famous Chushingura story that tells how the 47 ronin avenged their dead master. Here we see the loyal ronin storming of the house of their dead master’s enemy. Now housed at the British Museum

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A late 19th century CE Japanese ivory netsuke depicting the final episode of the famous Chushingura story that tells how the 47 ronin avenged their dead master. Here we see the loyal ronin storming of the house of their dead master’s enemy. Now housed at the British Museum

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The Lute and White Snake of Benten ; painted by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai in 1847 CE. Now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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The Lute and White Snake of Benten ; painted by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai in 1847 CE. Now housed at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

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A late 19th century CE netsuke of a meditating skeleton, made of silver set in stag antler. Meiji period, from Japan, now housed at the British Museum

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A late 19th century CE netsuke of a meditating skeleton, made of silver set in stag antler. Meiji period, from Japan, now housed at the British Museum

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"Heron in the Rain", an Ukiyo-e made by the Japanese artist Kawanabe Kyōsai, c. 1870s CE, now housed at the Honolulu Museum of Art in Hawaiʻi

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"Heron in the Rain", an Ukiyo-e made by the Japanese artist Kawanabe Kyōsai, c. 1870s CE, now housed at the Honolulu Museum of Art in Hawaiʻi

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A Khmer bronze sculpture of Hevajra, a Tantric Buddhist deity who personifies Enlightenment. C. 1200 CE, Northeastern Thailand, former kingdom of Angkor. Now housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art

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A Khmer bronze sculpture of Hevajra, a Tantric Buddhist deity who personifies Enlightenment. C. 1200 CE, Northeastern Thailand, former kingdom of Angkor. Now housed at the Cleveland Museum of Art

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A 12th century CE stone sculpture of naga-enthroned Buddha, now housed at the Bangkok National Museum in Thailand

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A 12th century CE stone sculpture of naga-enthroned Buddha, now housed at the Bangkok National Museum in Thailand

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A Byzantine ivory panel depicting the last judgement. From Constantinople, 11th century CE, now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London

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A Byzantine ivory panel depicting the last judgement. From Constantinople, 11th century CE, now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London

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A Japanese ivory netsuke with rabbit and mortar design. Edo Period, 18th century CE, now housed at the Tokyo National Museum

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A Japanese ivory netsuke with rabbit and mortar design. Edo Period, 18th century CE, now housed at the Tokyo National Museum

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