The copper body has an applied silver rim and silver base plate, which is marked 'SILVER' in English. The flower depicted on the vase is known as the Hosoge (an abbreviation of Hosogemon, lit. 'precious flower pattern') and is associated with Buddhism. The Hosoge combines aspects of the peony, the lotus and other flowers into a unique composition frequently linked with karakusa scrolls, as seen on this vase. The stylised design, which has a distinctly Art Deco feel, has been executed in shiny black musen enamel with silver yusen to define the petal structure. The sinuous curves of the karakusa are softened by shadowy grey musen enamels and the whole design, which occupies only one side of the vase, is on a pale yellow ground. The counter-enamel is of the same hue as the main ground and has also been applied to the base, which has the mark of the Ando Company in gold yusen shaded brown enamel. Although the vase would no doubt have appealed to foreign buyers, its subject matter suggests that it was more probably made for the domestic market.