Tsuge Ikebana: Smooth Tomato (Kikuchi) (H) (013) (2023) Tobacco Pipe

Ikebana translates to "living flowers," and is a reference to the highest form of the Japanese art of flower arrangement. The prestigiously named Tsuge Ikebana is Tsuge's premier workshop, and three artisans work there: Asami Kikuchi, Yoshirou Ohi, and Kazuhiro Fukuda. They make every pipe by hand, showcasing distinctively Japanese interpretations of Danish shapes, and each maker possesses their own unique style.

This Tomato is made by Tsuge Ikebana's Asami Kikuchi. The bowl's broad and stout character is reminiscent of the Saucer shape, but its shapely contours deliver on the soft profile typical of the Tomato shape. Furthermore, the bowl possesses a subtle forward cant, its dipped posture creating a supple heel that rests pleasantly in the hand as one clutches the plump waistline. The low-slung shank continues the graceful curvature of the pipe, showcasing a broad, elliptical shape that keeps with the shallow profile of the bowl. Out back, a broad stem base swiftly tapers into a trim form, offering an elegant transition from a broad stummel to a slim bit.

This Tomato's voluptuous contours are accompanied by an exquisite finish, a vibrant auburn stain that instantly catches the eye. Furthermore, the stain highlights an alluring grain pattern. Wispy strands of flame grain wrap around the waistline, separating the swirls of birdseye on the underside and rim. The shank exhibits a similar pattern, with cross grain sweeping up the arcing flanks, while birdseye whorls in between. The stummel pairs to an understated jet-black stem, which, along with the absence of accents, serves to focus one's attention exclusively on the dazzling stummel.