Trade & Exchange

Tips and resources to inspire sustainable and slow fashion consumption.

Islam has been an important cultural force in much of Asia for more than five hundred years, and in some parts for more than a thousand. Today, far more Muslims live in other parts of Asia than in the Arab areas of Asia such as Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.

An animated map and timeline overview of the rise of the First Emperor and the expansion of the state of Qin in ancient China.

Note: This video does not include audio.
The exhibition, “Emperors’ Treasures: Chinese Art from the National Palace Museum, Taipei” at the Asian Art Museum (from 6/17-9/18/16) focuses on Chinese imperial taste over more than 1,000 years, during which Chinese political borders changed dramatically. This video highlights some of those changes.

Over the centuries, two main branches of Buddhism emerged: a transmission that traveled to Southeast Asia, and a transmission that evolved in East Asia. A further offshoot of the northern transmission also developed. All three branches began in India, and developed further as they moved across Asia.

Katsura River Style Flower Basket, approx. 1870-1920. By Iizuka Hosai I (1851-1916). Bamboo (madake), selected techniques: twill plaiting, diamond twill base. Lloyd Cotsen Japanese Bamboo Basket Collection, 2006.3.49.

Inro with map of Japan, 1670-1722. By Shiomi Masanari (Japanese, 1647 – approx. 1722), Lacquered wood with sprinkled metallic powder (maki-e) decoration. Gift of Dr. Joseph Kushner, 2014.6. Photograph © Asian Art Museum of San Francisco.

Learn about Hinduism in Bali.

Helmet with chain mail neckguard, approx. 1820–1840. Pakistan; Probably Lahore, Punjab province. Helmet of iron overlaid with gold; mail neckguard of iron and brass. Gift of the Kapany Collection, 1998.69.