Box and lid for letters (fubako), of rectangular form and with bevelled edges, a removeable inner tray and a loose board (both in plain black lacquer) within the tray, wood covered in roiro (black lacquer polished to a deep gloss) with pine trees and bamboo at the water's edge, together with randomly scattered mon (family crests), that of the Abe family with two crossed feathers in a circle, and the other with three oak leaves in a circle in gold hiramaki-e (metal powder sprinkled on to a lacquer design before it has hardened so that it is in low relief) and takamaki-e (maki-e in which parts of the design are raised by adding clay or charcoal powder), with kirikane (metal foil cut to various shapes and individually set into lacquer, often as a mosaic) and gold foil (kinpaku); two gilt copper attachment points, one on either side of the base and decorated with two crossed feathers with a ring to which a very faded red silk tying cord and tassel is attached. The interior and underside are in roiro black lacquer.