The striped angelfish on this vase is common in coral reefs from Japan to Indonesia. From the late 19th century, Japanese immigrant communities in Indonesia collected pearls and established fisheries as Japan became one of Indonesia's primary trading partners. During the 1920s, Japan provided most of Indonesia's textile and ceramic imports; by 1930, Japanese business interests extended to rubber, sugar, timber, and oil. This vase may reflect to Japan's interest in Indonesia as a source of shared sea life as well as personal wealth.