Whether in gardens or wild places, the Chinese and Japanese artists who created these artworks turned to nature for inspiration. The objects shown here also relate to the four seasons. Spring and summer are represented by the storks that mate from March to July and fireflies that appear from May to July; autumn by the tall, waving grasses; and winter by the narcissus flowers that bloom from late December to early February. The artists selected familiar birds, insects, and plants as designs for a range of items, from a utilitarian ceramic to the deluxe print, lavish hair ornaments, and ornate brocade fabric.