Hasegawa

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From Pipes, Artisans and Trademarks, by José Manuel Lopes

Toyohei Hasegawa is one of the kiseru pipe masters. He began making pipes in Tsubame, one of the major centers for the creation of these Japanese pipes and, at 13 years old, he was apprentice to master Zengoro Hattori. In 1926, at only 18, he started working for himself, and when the demand was high would make 300 kiserus a month, from tin and copper. In his final years as an artisan, the 90s, he created beautiful pipes inlaid with gold and silver. The winner of numerous prizes, he was made a member of the Living Cultural Assets of Tsubame.

Editors note: Kiseru pipes are traditional Japanese pipes used for smoking tobacco, which have been used from the second half of the sixteenth century. They are characterized by a small bowl where the tobacco is placed. The forms are generally fine and elegant. Most of the kiseru are made of metal and bamboo, but there are also models made entirely of metal or ceramics. While some models are simple and inexpensive, others are finely worked and sculpted works of art.