Minoru Nagata
Japanese pipe maker Minoru Nagata（永田 実） was born in Hashimoto, Wakayama and has been living in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture for most of his life. ( It`s a city between Osaka and Kobe )
He has been making pipes over 30 years and selling his pipes to tobacco shops in the last 10 years.
Mr Nagata only uses the best Mimmo briar for his pipes. He has the most unique designs on the market, you can take a look at some of the pipes he has made on this youtube(search MINORU NAGATA on Youtube).
Every pipe that he makes is different. I really don`t know of any other craftsman who has the courage and skill to do what he does. Most artisans follow 3 or 4 model shapes. The pipes that I have on my shelf now are a good demonstration of this. The Dimple,Eggplant, Pomodoro, Flat Calla and June Fish pipe are all very unique.
Dimple by NAGATA
Dimple by NAGATA
Mr Nagata likes to design his pipes following an old asian aesthetic of shin真, gyou行,sou草. These traits are further explained in the video that be linked up above.
Horn by NAGATA
Horn by NAGATA
FUGU fish by NAGATA
Via:Chris Godak/ Photos by:Tobacco pipes Japan.com & pipesdownunder.com.au/ Edit by: Qjy365