The chest has an inset door called kendon-tobira. The bottom of the side panels are carved into the shapes of leaves that act as legs. The entire surface of the box is coated with black lacquer. All the panels except the bottom are decorated with dew-glistening pampas grass and paulownia crests, with the use of flat maki-e, and e-nashiji techniques, Simple and strong, the design reflects an early trend in Kodaiji maki-e production. The corners and other pivotal points have reinforced metal fittings with hairline engravings of paulownia on a fish-roe patterned background. Gilt bronze handles are attached to the side panels.