[1] The Katsuragi vessels were designed as iron-ribbed, wooden-hulled, three-masted barque-rigged sloops-of-war, with a basic design based on experience gained in building Kaimon and Tenryū sloops.

[2] Propulsion was by a coal-fired double-expansion reciprocating steam engine with six cylindrical boilers driving a double screw.

The engines were rated at 1,600 indicated horsepower (1,200 kW), and designed to reach a top speed of 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph).

A major improvement over previous Japanese corvette designs was the use of recessed gun ports, which allowed the two forward guns to fire on a forward arc instead of only on a broadside.

[3] Yamato was removed from the navy list 1 April 1935,[3] but survived as a floating prison until the end of World War II.