The two-part copper body has an applied silver rim and base plate. The dark cream ground is decorated with a mythical Ho-o (phoenix) in gold yusen blue and brown and a triple paulownia (kiri) leaf design in silver yusen and totai-jippo translucent green and blue enamels. The central motif in gold yusen white enamel is a butterfly mon (family crest) of a type traditionally used in varying forms by many of Japan's ruling samurai families. The flowering paulownia had also been used as a crest by senior samurai families. The combination of the butterfly crest with the Ho-o and paulownia - both of which have also long been associated with the imperial family - suggests that this elegant object was commissioned by an extremely important client. The inner base is enamelled a dark brown colour and carries the silver yusen mark of Gonda Hirosuke. This mark is based on the character for Haku (white), the first part of the name of Gonda's Nagoya-based company, the Hakuryuen (White Dragon Garden). The accompanying box for this vessel has an ink inscription stating that it is a shippo vase decorated with an agehacho, a long-tailed butterfly. It also carries the red seal Gonda Kinsei (respectfully made by Gonda). The interior of the lid has the label of Gonda's company, the Hakuryuen.