Japanese Estates: Smio Satou Smooth Bent Dublin with Bamboo (Unsmoked) Tobacco Pipe

Smio Satou's pipe-making story begins with his father, who was one of the first artisans in Japan to craft European style pipes out of briar. Satou followed in his father's footsteps and worked as a professional pipe maker for 25 years at Tsuge. Satou's style is uniquely Japanese, commonly using bamboo accents and utilizing a signature finishing technique inspired by Japanese furniture. A lifetime of pipe making has made Satou an exceptional craftsman, ensuring every gorgeous pipe is also a superb smoker.

We have seen many bent Dublins from Smio Satou over the years, but few have been as deeply bent as the one presented here. This pipe possesses a high-kicking shank-and-stem arrangement that terminates at a trim vulcanite bit, creating a comfortable smoking posture perfect for jaw hanging. Furthermore, the lengthy shank features a bamboo accent, and the knots on the knuckles are painted black for contrast with the light shade of bamboo. The shank joins the bowl at a tall, but trim, transition, enhancing the gestural profile but keeping the balance centered at the bowl. Said bowl flares from a supple heel to a broad rim, highlighting streaks of flame grain on the thick insulating walls and tightly-packed birdseye on the slightly inflated rim. Dressed in a vivid chestnut stain, this pipe exudes traditional Japanese appeal.