Tsuge Ikebana: Smooth Acorn (Fukuda) (L) (215) (2017) Tobacco Pipe

The Tsuge Ikebana workshop is a unique collective within the world of artisan pipe making. Like the now-retired duo of S. Bang, each Ikebana artisan fashions their own pieces in the same workshop, stamping pipes with their own names as well as that of the workshop itself. Unlike S. Bang, though, Tsuge Ikebana features the work of three artisans, all supervised by Kazuhiro Fukuda. The Japanese carver has been with Ikebana since its inception and here presents this Acorn rendition.

It's a noticeably longer version compared to previous examples we've seen from Fukuda, but it still maintains his Danish-style leanings — Kazuhiro having traveled to Denmark in the '60s and '70s to receive instruction from Sixten Ivarsson himself. Most prominent in profile is the composition's elongated shank; it curls and tapers consistently to the transition, effectively poising and perching the bowl up front. Said bowl is almost heart-shaped, with the heel drooping slightly and the rim showing a subtly concave nature. Beautifully organic and full of soft lines and supple curves, it's a stunning representation of Fukuda's decades of experience, and the rich, honey-blonde stain highlights gorgeous strands of flame grain.