This blue and white hi-ire (container for holding burning charcoal) is decorated with a central circular emblem depicting a Dutch man with various trade ships in the background. There is an inner circle which is decorated with geometric motifs that resemble pseudo Latin alphabet script. The rim is further decorated with a lattice of coin motifs with hanging trefoils. Ceramics used for hi-ire include Chinese and Japanese blue and white porcelains. The bamboo container is known as a hai-otoshi (a container to hold ash and waste). Both objects are usually placed in a small wooden box called a tabako-bon (smoking box). . It is designed to be portable. Such boxes were brought out to a visitor to show the hospitality of the host.
