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

One of the great Japanese masters of the art of pipe making, Smio Satou's breadth of carving experience spans many decades, having worked for Tsuge for 25 years and finding great success as an independent artisan in his own right. Pipe making was something of a tradition for Satou, as his father actually worked for one of the first pipe factories in Japan during the late 1940s, repairing pipes for General Douglas MacArthur following the end of World War 2. His lengthy career has seen the development of a distinctive and iconically Japanese shaping style which prioritizes balance, flow, and crisp line work to place the focus on the shaping of the pipes he crafts. Satou passed away in July of 2023, leaving behind a diverse and impressive portfolio, matched only by the influence he's had on the Japanese pipe making style and the relationships he's touched along the way.

This bent Dublin is a stylish and fluid example of the classic shape which is emblematic of Satou's shaping style and showcases an incredible, plunging build that's rife with dynamism. What grabs the eye first is the lengthy shank-and-stem combination, the shank itself comprising a thin extension of briar which curls sharply out of its tight transition to meet a pair of bamboo knuckles: extending the shank. At the end of this section of bamboo, a trim band of jet-black vulcanite meets a matching saddle stem whose bit is a lengthy stretch that curves toward the button, offering a comfortable smoking posture that is quite conducive to jaw-hanging. Additionally, the high-reaching shank-and-stem combination lends the composition a handsomely dynamic silhouette which does well to balance the visual weight of the bowl. Said bowl stands atop a firm heel which is pronounced at the fore, supporting broad, flaring walls that terminate in an inflated, ovoid rim and offer just enough curvature to lend it a comfortable feel in hand. Dressed in a warm, smooth auburn stain, the stummel here showcases a wealth of handsome grain, with flame flickering through the flanks of the bowl and an expansive display of birdseye through the rim.