Designed by Masanori Oji, the bookend is cast in solid brass in Takaoka and weighs about 1.2 kg, enough to hold a row of books on its own. A felt base protects shelves and furniture. In plain brass it slowly develops a patina, while the Kuromura version is coloured with a pigmented lacquer and ohaguro worked in under heat for a deep, dark surface. It comes in two shapes, Komagata Popular and Bundo.