Tsuge: Urushi Maple Leaf Billiard Tobacco Pipe

The Japanese art form of Urushi dates back to more than 9,000 years ago, originating in the Jomon period. Translating to "Lacquer Picture," the process of making an Urushi piece is incredibly time consuming, taking as little as several months to as long as several years to craft a fully realized piece of art. This process involves the application of pigmented translucent lacquer to a porous surface which is then allowed to dry over the course of days, before applying the next coat, building up multiple layers over time and slowly constructing a piece of art whose subjects stand out in stunning relief against their background.

In modern times, the word is used to reference either the lacquer itself, made from Asian sumac sap, or the finished product which this straight Billiard from Tsuge represents. The surface of the porous briar is stained a deep, inky black and allows the pattern of multicolored maple leaves adorning it to stand out vibrantly, its depiction tranquil and calming. The shank tapers to a brass-hued fitment at the junction before being married to a sleek black stem, the unified base palette of the composition lending the colorful elements of the stummel a wealth of beautiful contrast.