Ferret said

My friend 'does' live in Japan but the origin of the pieces is Vietnam. I think that the 'maple' link is weakened by this

Actually the link is stronger, Ferret. You're the pro so if you don't think that what it is then you're probably right.

But please allow me to chip in some information/background just for the fun of it though, no offense intended, and thank you for letting me know where it was originally from (I was wondering about those inlays as Japanese is not known for doing it widely, AFAIK)

As you all know, Vietnam is a hot/tropical country geologically for the most part which means there is no four season, no cold weather winter and it's mostly "HOT" so maple is not a native specie and there is no other species with such leaves known.

I did some research in Vietnam history, literature, art etc..(in addition to my knowledge as I was born there, grew up and half way through college) and there is not much info referred to maple. Searching some photography contest/forum about autumn scenery and there are a few maple tree/leaf pictures taking in the northern Vietnam remote mountain regions, some from a province in central highland and people identified most of them as Japanese maple varieties (probably brought over from WW II when Japan dominated many SE Asia countries including VN). The point here is image of maple leaf in art form is very scarce.

However, bonsai (miniature trees/flower) is a trend among the wealth/high class and Japanese maple bonsai is very favorable.

Some cultural points about MOP inlay, in VN back in the old days, furniture and daily usage items with MOP inlay signified wealth, authorities, high class of living. Not as much today, but it still has connotation of added value/importance, and so all art forms with MOP inlay are usually for tourist souvenirs, especially foreign visitors or exporting (in small quantities) to other countries as most local people don't really find it necessary to their daily essentials.

Inlay process is a specialty and most of people who are doing it for living gathers around Saigon (southern VN capitol, aka Ho chi minh city) for better chance of exposure to visitors and tourists to sell their products (not personally but mostly through dealers).

I have a collection of Vietnamese traditional instruments, custom made for me, including MOP inlay purchased from people in that city. For potential buyer attraction, the MOP inlay usually related to buyer interest. For all of my instrument, the inlays are about Vietnamese tradition/scenery/legend/story/culture (with some from Chinese origin).

So, IMHO, those are Japanese maple leaves, lol. I could be wrong but that is what I think. Now, back to practice.

Ferret said

All very true but the mischief in me wants it to be Cannabis indica rather than Acer palmatum.
However, being a 60+yr old I was thinking of the Vietnam war influence (Australia was there). It was in great demand and in plentiful supply. 

 

LOL, so let it be Cannabis indica then.

John, you don't know how deep Vietnamese people (not the communist authorities) appreciate and owe Australian and her government for contribution and help (Japanese is also on the list). I think I need to personally make a point here as many people currently living in Vietnam have not a chance to express their thinking/opinion to the outside world.

Among other things, the very first modern marvel in Vietnam is the My Thuan suspension bridge (the very first one in the whole country) that is financially donated, designed, and built under engineering supervision by Australian (the second one is Can Tho suspension bridge, in my hometown, which is also similar by Japanese people).

Australia is one of the dream countries for Vietnamese who can get out of the country and the government.