Bronze Oriental Vase

I've had this bronze vase for at least 10 years . The base is 2 -3/8" in diameter and as you go up it widens to approx 4 - 1/2"; then it narrows to 1 - 5/8" at the mouth. There is a chrysanthemum (?) on either side. It stands approx. 6" tall. It does have wear on the bottom. At the top there are seven rivets on either side of the opening; 14 in all and they are a part of the casting. There are also 2 horns at the top. I took numerous pics of the characters on the bottom but I don't know which way is up. Has a nice reddish brown patina. Has a dent in the lip of the hole at the top.
I'm assuming that it is Japanese but haven't a clue as to its age or what the characters on the bottom indicate. Any comments are welcome.

 

You showed us this on Tuesday, right?. I still don't see chrysanthemum flowers, but I do see better focused images of the mark. Unfortunately I still can't figure out what they are meant to be. Sorry.

 

I didn't get any comments on Tuesday's posting so I re-posted in a different forum. In the 1st pic is what I'm calling a chrysanthemum but I'm most likely wrong, although it does look like a flower of some sort. The wife wants me to get rid of it, but I hate not researching it before doing that. A few clues on its origin would be greatly appreciated and would make the research easier.

 

Did you find out anything ? Just curious ... I like it ... it's different .... almost a Viking look ...maybe...