Smooth Freehand (Fukuda) (I) (118) (2014) Tobacco Pipe

Though seemingly showcasing something of a nautical, organic aesthetic, the inspiration for this unique, spiraled style of freehand briar from Tsuge Ikebana is likely not a resident of the sea. Indeed, though it does readily evoke the look of some manner of conch shell, the more overt resemblance, to my eye, is one of a twisted style of kiseru mostly commonly seen rendered in sterling silver. The proportions may be a bit more (read: significantly more) full-bodied and generous, and the subtle asymmetry at play is part-and-parcel to the workshop's aesthetic, but there's no denying the Japanese smoking-instrument lineage this piece shows.