Smooth Bent Dublin (Fukuda) (M) (268) (2015) Tobacco Pipe

Had this bent Dublin been stamped as an Ohi or Kikuchi design, I wouldn't have batted an eyelash. As it is not stamped as such, I have to say it's pretty unusual for what is (presumably) a Fukuda design instead. While I have seen older Tsuge Ikebana bent Dublins before with broad, curling flourishes at the shank, this more modern, playfully bulbous approach is something I can't recall appearing on any Ikebana until Kikuchi joined the workshop.

Indeed so surprised was I at not seeing an Ohi or Kikuchi stamp on this briar, that it took a while before I even noticed the highly unusual grade; an "M" is quite a ways up there on the Ikebana scale. That said I did quickly notice the excellent arrangement of grain, something which is all the more impressive given the unconventional shape.