Antique vase depicting a plum tree and a bouquet of chrysanthemums. The vase is made of cerapica and covered with craquelure. There is a stamp of Satsuma workshops. Japan, XX century.

The chrysanthemum has been an ancient symbol of Japan since the reign of Emperor Gotoba in the 12th century. This plant is associated with the goddess of the Sun, Amaterasu, who is considered the main deity and a long-time ancestor of the Japanese emperors. Plum is a symbol of the coming spring, triumphant over winter. This plant blooms at the end of winter or at the very beginning of spring, when the snow is still lying. There was a plum blossom ceremony called "hanami"