The copper body of the vase has an applied rim and base plate of shakudo with an inner neck-ring of gilt bronze. The shaded peach-coloured ground is decorated in brass and silver yusen enamels with two Java sparrows (Padda oryzivora; Buncho in Japanese) flying above maple trees (momiji) in late summer or early autumn. It is not known when this type of bird was introduced into Japan, but they have been well observed by the artist, who has accurately depicted their soft grey plumage, black caps, white cheeks and red beaks. The maple leaves have been executed in subtle shades of green enamel. The branches of the maple are rendered in softly shaded grey and black yusen and musen enamels. The early stamped mark of the Ando Company has been applied inside the gilt base plate. It is not known who designed the scene depicted on this elegant vase, but the subject matter of birds and flowers (kachoga) was popular with many Japanese artists of the nineteenth century. The Java Sparrow is not native to Japan, but birds have escaped from captivity and subsequently established a feral population.

The associated box for this vase has an ink inscription which states that the piece is 'Japanese Fine Art Enamel' (Nihon Bijutsu Shippo) and specifies the maple and the species of bird. It also carries the signature of Ando Jubei, while the interior has the original Ando Company label with an illustration of Nagoya Castle and proudly makes reference to, and has an illustration of, the gold medal which the company was awarded at the Paris Exposition of 1900.