Vase with a bird hunting a cicada, Kiyomizu Sannenzaka Museum Collection

Cloisonné ware was first and mostly produced in Owari. This pair of vases were made by Kawade Shibataro who worked as the head of the factory of Andō cloisonné store, an old establishment that continues to produce cloisonné ware today. The design seen on these vases depict a bird aiming to catch a cicada. At the top of the vases is the imperial chrysanthemum emblem. Luxury cloisonné items were often purchased by the imperial family and given as gifts to diplomatic envoys or rewards for meritorious vassals. It is believed that these vases were gifts as such.