Like his close friend Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Bumpei Usui was born in Japan and immigrated to the United States. In this still life, Usui depicted an arrangement of objects referencing his friend’s presence. Next to Kuniyoshi’s hat, cane, and gloves, a Japanese-style vase holds a bouquet of dahlias. According to the traditional Japanese language of flowers (hanakotoba), these symbolize good taste.