Despite being made of porcelain, the chrysanthemum and lily reliefs are stunningly realistic. Tomoda Yasukiyo (1862-1918) operated the Tomoda-gumi establishment that produced pigments and glazes for ceramic decorations in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, where he was born. When the Hyogo Prefecture Izushi-gun Municipal Ceramic Research Center opened in 1899 he was invited to head the station. He remained in this post until 1906 and returned home in that same year.