Open image in slideshow, Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s

Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s

$ 2,200.00

Tax included.

Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s

 

Medium: bamboo, silver, and brass

 

Size: 21.5 cm

 

It is believed that pipe smoking was introduced to Japanese high society, such as the Samurai, the Buddhist priest classes and rich merchants.

 

Tobacco has been known in Japan since the 1570s at the earliest. By the early 17th century, kiseru had become popular enough to even be mentioned in some Buddhist textbooks for children.

 

During the Edo period, many samurai and chōnin smoked tobacco, and often carried a kiseru in a special case called a kiseruzutsu. Kiseru were considered status symbols for their owners, due to being made from precious metals and having intricate designs adorned on them. There was also a high cost on importing tobacco, which was considered an extravagance of the rich.

Open image in slideshow, Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s
Open image in slideshow, Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s
Open image in slideshow, Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s
Open image in slideshow, Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s
Open image in slideshow, Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s
Open image in slideshow, Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s
Open image in slideshow, Antique Tobacco Pipe or kiseru' with bamboo shift. Japan 19th century, late Edo period circa 1860s