The dragonfly is decorated with powdered gold (body), precious metals are applied onto the base material, pearls (eyes), mother of pearl/abolone shell (wings). In addition to that, you will see four gold leaves accompanied the dragonfly. The mother of pearl/abolone shell is used to decorate both ends of the pen.
Maki-e technique that used by Mrs. Kato includes "Chinkin" which involves the application of small gold pieces onto the surface of the lacquer and "Raden", the delicate application of fine shaving of abolone shell onto the lacqure surface.