Flowers and Crane | anonymous | 18th Century

This magnificent painting probably comes from a folding screen. Iconographically, many things are combined here that do not necessarily belong together in this way. But the purpose of this painting is not to visually implement a philosophy, but simply to capture beautiful things that delight the heart in an image. In the foreground is a crane – a symbol of "long life." It appears especially during New Year's celebrations. Bamboo and white plum blossoms also belong to the New Year or other important festivities. As the third plant in the group – they are also called "The Three Friends of Winter" – there should be a pine tree. However, this is missing; it is replaced by a red plum blossom branch. Red and white are two colors that belong together in Japan: in the indigenous Shintō religion, they symbolize "purity and impurity" (and are therefore also the colors of the Japanese flag).

On the right side of the painting, two pheasants are sitting, which only have symbolic value insofar as they are a male and a female, representing the basic unit of Confucian society. In the Edo period (1603-1867), animals were usually depicted in such a paired form. However, they are probably placed in the picture here simply because they are beautiful.

Behind the two pheasants, chrysanthemums and Susuki pampas grass can be seen, marking an autumn mood. This means that the season differs from the left part of the painting. But even if all these plants in the painting never bloom simultaneously, it doesn't matter – one likes spring as much as autumn, and so all glories should be united in a single painting – adorned with gold dust.