Anonymous

Meiji/Taisho period 19th/20th century

1868-1926

Kiseru Pipe

Silver Kiseru (smoking pipe) carved and inlaid in bamboo and flower design. Accompanying the pipe is a silk brocade and leather tobacco pouch in a chrysanthemum design.  

Pipe smoking became common during the Edo period for many of the wealthy, mostly samurai, Buddhist monks or merchants. It was expensive to import tobacco and so was seen as a status symbol if you could afford it. This created a fashion for owning more expensive and elaborate pipes and Kiseruzutsu (pipe cases) made of precious metals, fabrics or lacquer.

By the Meiji period, cigarettes were introduced causing a drop in the use of Kiseru becoming more collectable as items of interest rather than being used for smoking.

Pipe 137mm x 17mm

Pouch 143mm x 73mm