Tsuge: Difference between revisions

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 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, "Japan has sent us cars and motorcycles, and now pipes, too!"

*See also [[Ikebana]]