Chinese Teakwood Screen detail

This cloisonné panel represents the month of January and features a branch of "the prunus" tree. The Chinese say that the pine, bamboo and plum (prunus) are like three friends because they keep green in cold weather. It is also an emblem of longevity as it is said that Lao Tze, the founder of Taoism, was born under the plum tree.

Photography by Kevin Miyazaki.