Japanese Bamboo Rao-Kiseru Pipe

This elegant pipe of brass and bamboo dates to early 20th century Japan and was used for smoking finely shredded tobacco (kizami-tabako). Known as a rao-kiseru, these short smoking pipes were comprised of hollow lengths of thin bamboo secured to a brass mouthpiece and brass bowl. Often these pipes were paired with decorative accessories, such as wooden carrying cases or gilt tabako-bons. We've elevated this pipe on a custom steel mount for display as a storied sculptural object.

CFC190