Kiseru Smoking Pipe / Pure Silver / Reins Pattern / 8-sun (24cm)

Product Description

Product Story

General Product Information

This is a sterling silver reinsmith style smoking pipe with a motif of a yokozuna's (Yokozuna is the highest rank of sumo wrestler / Champion) ornamental mawashi (Mawashi is the loincloth that sumo wrestlers wear) and a temple rope.
The shape is one of the most historic and prestigious of all smoking pipes / Kiseru.

It is made by a traditional Japanese technique of hammered out from a single sheet of plate with a chisel and hammer.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1500 years ago / 500AD / Kofun period in Japan

The kiseru, a Japanese smoking pipe, traces its origins to the Kofun era (964–968 AD). Emerging during the Heian period, it evolved from the introduction of tobacco to Japan by Portuguese explorers. Initially used in powder form for medicinal purposes, tobacco became popular for smoking during the Edo period (1603–1868).
The kiseru, with its distinctive metal or bamboo stem and detachable mouthpiece, gained prominence, especially among the samurai class, symbolizing social status. Over time, as tobacco consumption patterns shifted with the rise of cigarettes, the kiseru's popularity declined. Despite its diminished use, the kiseru endures as a cultural artifact, cherished for its craftsmanship and historical ties to both the Edo period and its earlier origins in the Kofun era.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Chiaki Aikawa / Aikawa Engraving Studio
Chiaki Aikawa's main products are accessories and Kiseru. Since the technique cannot be mass-produced by machines, each item is carefully crafted one by one.
I also specialize in a technique called Mokume-Gane, in which different metals are layered and melted together to create a pattern by repeatedly beating and carving.

Craftsman Passion

"For smokers around the world"
I produce smoking pipes for smokers all over the world to enhance the taste of their cigarettes.
I would like to share the chic Japanese smoking culture with the world with my smoking pipes made with traditional techniques.
Please enjoy the beauty of the slowly rising smoke!

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width：1.5cm
Length :24cm 
Weight：103g

Material & Caution

Materials

Silver

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.