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== The History of Tsuge == | == The History of Tsuge == | ||
'''''Transcribed from scans of a Tsuge catalog, courtesy of Yo Uekusa, of Tsuge Pipe Co., via J. Rex Poggenpohl''''' | |||
=== 1911 -- Kyoichiro's passion for making things was inherited from his parents === | === 1911 -- Kyoichiro's passion for making things was inherited from his parents === | ||
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=== 1924 -- Apprenticeship Under a Master Ivory Pipe Maker === | === 1924 -- Apprenticeship Under a Master Ivory Pipe Maker === | ||
In 1923, whyen the Tsuge family lived in Korea, Kyoichiro lost his mother and also his father on a year later. Orphaned at the age of 13 and brought back to Tokyo by his relative, he started a life in apprenticeship under a master of a master of ivory pipe making (cigarette holders were also called pipes at the time). | In 1923, whyen the Tsuge family lived in Korea, Kyoichiro lost his mother and also his father on a year later. Orphaned at the age of 13 and brought back to Tokyo by his relative, he started a life in apprenticeship under a master of a master of ivory pipe making (cigarette holders were also called pipes at the time).[[File:Tsuge Woden&IvoryPipes Founding.jpg|thumb|Carved Wood and Full Ivory pipes made at the time of the fonding of Tsuge Pipe Company]][[File:TsugeFamily.jpg|thumb|left|Tsuge Family]] | ||
=== 1936 -- Kyoichiro Opened His Workshop after the Harsh Apprenticeship === | === 1936 -- Kyoichiro Opened His Workshop after the Harsh Apprenticeship === | ||
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=== 1945 -- Path to Become a Leading Pipe Maker in Japan === | === 1945 -- Path to Become a Leading Pipe Maker in Japan === | ||
Kyoichiro attempted to restart the cigarette holder business whenm the war ended in 1945. As ivory, which was under control of GHQ, was almost unobtainable then, he procured cherry wood in Tohoku as an alternative. When he started manufacturing cigarette holders, pipes started to sell in large amount thanks to the release of pipe tobacco by the US army and the media report of General Douglas MacArthur landing at Atsugi Airport with a corn cob pipe in his mouth.<br> | [[File:TsugeVisit OppenheimerPipes PipeDan Savinelli.jpg|thumb|Tsuge visits Oppenheimer Pipes (UK), Pipe Dan (Denmark), and Savinelli (Italy)]][[File:Tsuge Son CulturalFigures.jpg|thumb|left|Tsuge and oldest son, and Cultural figure]][[File:TsugePipes.jpg}thumb|Tsuge Pipes]][[File:KyoichiroTsugeBriar.jpg|thumb|left|Tsuge with Briar]]Kyoichiro attempted to restart the cigarette holder business whenm the war ended in 1945. As ivory, which was under control of GHQ, was almost unobtainable then, he procured cherry wood in Tohoku as an alternative. When he started manufacturing cigarette holders, pipes started to sell in large amount thanks to the release of pipe tobacco by the US army and the media report of General Douglas MacArthur landing at Atsugi Airport with a corn cob pipe in his mouth.<br> | ||
In response to the boom of pipes, TSUGE had to put increasing efforts in making pipes arther than cigarette holder. The compayny hired craftsmen who made umbrella handles and started to mass produce billiard and bent billiard pipes using cherry wood to meet the rapidly growing market demand. The company developed to become one of the most cutting edge companies in Japan, having 120 craftsmen at its peak. | In response to the boom of pipes, TSUGE had to put increasing efforts in making pipes arther than cigarette holder. The compayny hired craftsmen who made umbrella handles and started to mass produce billiard and bent billiard pipes using cherry wood to meet the rapidly growing market demand. The company developed to become one of the most cutting edge companies in Japan, having 120 craftsmen at its peak. | ||
[[Image:Tsuge Pipe01.jpg|left|thumb]][[Image:Tsuge Pipe02.jpg|right|thumb]][[Image:Tsuge Pipe03.jpg|left|thumb]][[Image:Tsuge Pipe04.jpg|right|thumb]] | |||
=== 1950--Tsuge Started Making Prodcts Eyeing Overseas Markets === | === 1950--Tsuge Started Making Prodcts Eyeing Overseas Markets === | ||
When imported briar became available in the 1950's, TSUGE started making briar pipes. Kyoichiro requested an ivory carver to engrave traditional Japanese motifs such as Mr. Fuji, three monkeys, Toshogu, and Geisha on pipe bowls. The pipes were sold to the US soldiers as souvenirs at the Imperial Hotel and Yokohama officers club, and at the shops like PX and USO. In the 1960's a demand of pipes for soldiers increased due to the aggravation of the Vietnam War and a large amount of cherry wood pipes made in Japan were exported to Saigon. | When imported briar became available in the 1950's, TSUGE started making briar pipes. Kyoichiro requested an ivory carver to engrave traditional Japanese motifs such as Mr. Fuji, three monkeys, Toshogu, and Geisha on pipe bowls. The pipes were sold to the US soldiers as souvenirs at the Imperial Hotel and Yokohama officers club, and at the shops like PX and USO. In the 1960's a demand of pipes for soldiers increased due to the aggravation of the Vietnam War and a large amount of cherry wood pipes made in Japan were exported to Saigon. | ||
=== 1970 --Excellent Craftsmanship Acclaimed by the World === | === 1970 --Excellent Craftsmanship Acclaimed by the World === | ||
In the 1970's the company lost its share to the emerging Asian counties in the severe price competition resulted from the sharp hike in the yen. In order to make competitive high value-added pipes, the company sent six craftsmen to the pipe workshops in Italy and Denmark to acquire advanced skills of pipemaking from Europe. Two craftsment, Fukado and Sato, studied under the great masters [[Sixten Ivarson]] and [[ | In the 1970's the company lost its share to the emerging Asian counties in the severe price competition resulted from the sharp hike in the yen. In order to make competitive high value-added pipes, the company sent six craftsmen to the pipe workshops in Italy and Denmark to acquire advanced skills of pipemaking from Europe. Two craftsment, Fukado and Sato, studied under the great masters [[Sixten Ivarson]] and [[Jørgen Larsen]] to touch the essence of their freehand pipe making.<br> | ||
Upon returning to Japan, they | Upon returning to Japan, they immediately started working on freehand pipes. At first, the pipes were exported to the US and earned a good reputation. Then Tsuge received an offer from Germany that led to a success in Europe. When freehand pipes and series pipes started to be sold at famous smoking goods shops in Germany and Switzerland, people said, "Japa has sent us cars and motorcycles, and now pipes, too!" | ||
*See also [[Ikebana]] | *See also [[Ikebana]] | ||
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== Off site Links == | == Off site Links == | ||
*Beyond Tsuge an Article at [http://www.smokingpipes.com/information/articles/japan.cfm Smokingpipes.com] | *Beyond Tsuge an Article at [http://www.smokingpipes.com/information/articles/japan.cfm Smokingpipes.com] | ||