Chinese (?) Bronze Vases, help please!

Hi
Please see the images of my bronze vases. I've had them a long time and never known anything about them.
I'm sure that all of the deep cast images throughout mean something.
They have serpent handles and storks, I think.
They are heavy and look to me to be of a good quality.
Any suggestions and an idea as to their age would be interesting.
Many thanks in advance.
Daryl

 

Daryl, you forgot to post the pictures.

 

I was editing them! I had loaded thumbs instead of images... You soon spotted that one, many thanks!

 

Lovely vases, Daryl. They are Japanese. Late 19th-early 20th century imo, but let's wait for the others.

Dragons and cranes.

 

super, thank you, I am wiser all ready!

 

They are nice, yes. I have always admired them but appreciate them all the more by understanding them.

 

Size?

 

Dimensions:
Height: 22.5 cm
Width to widest point: 14 cm

 

These look to be very nice quality, but I am not sure how old they could be without patina on the metal? Daryl, are you sure there are no identifying marks on them?

 

Japanese. Meiji period. Over the top decor for sure.

 

I'm not seeing anything on them, they don't show patina so that could confirm, as I believe the next post saying 'Meiji period' which is up to 1968, not very old at all.
Many thanks for your message.

 

Yes, that is what I am believing, not very old!
Thank you.

 

Meiji is up to 1912.

 

Thank you!

 

The crane is a symbol of Long Life.

 

Wonder what the story is of the man with the axe. There must be some meaning to his representation.

 

Something from Japanese mythology no doubt.

 

Yes, most definitely.
Like all items when you can 'read' them, there is so much more to understand.
I have learnt this in just a small way with many items that I have come across.
I'm hoping that somebody may yet offer some info from that direction.
Thank you for your comment.

 

I wish I knew!
Thanks again 'Any Jewelry'

 

That's a great one to know, Thank you.