The rectangular writing box has rounded corners. It is entirely coated with black lacquer, and decorated with marquetry and maki-e in the design of sea shells and seaweed. For the marquetry, porcelain and pieces of lead and tin are used. The inside has an inset kasuiban panel and nested box. The stationery box is also rectangular-shaped, and has a cover that fits in inro-buta style. It is blacklacquered and decorated with the design of sea shells and seaweed in the same manner as the writing box. The upper surface of the statinery box contains the signature "Ryuo"and the seal "Kan", evidence that the box was made by Ogawa Haritsu(1663-1747). Ogawa Haritsu was a native of Ise. He studied lacquerware in Edo, and invented what is known as "Haritsu Marquetry," an innovative marquetry technique using pieces of porcelain and metal.