Outer wooden box with lid, larger portion is in fact the lid, the smaller portion is the base. Lined with paper. The two are attached together by two long green flat straps which are inserted through four slits in the base, two at each side, which are reinforced with metal; two are moveable so that the strap can be pulled through. It would then be tied in a bow at the top. Top of box is lacquered in black and has the title of the box written in maki-e (sprinkled gold powder). The title reads: 'Ontatou-on-hako' (i.e. a box for tatou paper). On the underside of the base of the box the box's title is written in red lacquer. It reads: 'Ontatou-hako' (as previous meaning but without respectful term 'on'). The box is for storing a special kind of paper, tatou. 328 deep x 283 width x 170 height.
