Pipe and Pipe Case with Tobacco Pouch

early 19th century

Not on view

This elegant lacquer pipe case once hung from its owner’s obi sash, kept in place by the attached netsuke. A fashionable man would have carried a pipe (kiseru), for smoking small servings of finely cut tobacco, in a stylish case (kiseruzutsu) with a matching tobacco pouch (tabako-ire). They served as contemporary fashion accessories and conversation subjects. This two-part case features a maki-e design of wood sorrel, a wildflower similar to clover.

Artwork Details

柴田是真作酢漿草蒔絵煙管筒と更紗煙草入れ
Title: Pipe and Pipe Case with Tobacco Pouch
Artist: Shibata Zeshin (Japanese, 1807–1891)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: early 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Pipe: iron, gold, and silver on wood; case: gold, silver hiramaki‑e on black lacquer; pouch: dyed cotton (sarasa) with metal fitting; netsuke: carved staghorn
Dimensions: Pipe case: W. 3/4 in.; D. 5/8 in.; L. 11 1/4 in.; Pipe: L.7 3/4 in.; Tobacco case: H. 2 3/4 in.; W. 4 1/8 in.; D. 1 1/2 in.; Netsuke: Diam. 1 1/2 in.
Classification: Lacquer
Credit Line: Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015
Object Number: 2015.500.2.43a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

By Shibata Zeshin

From the same time and place

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Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse), Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Roiro (waxen) lacquer with black hiramakie sprinkled and polished lacquer and takamakie sprinkled and polished lacquer relief; Interior: roiro; Netsuke: lacquer in shape of a worn ink stick; Ojime: black lacquer bead, Japan — Case (Inrō) in the Shape of an Ink Stick with Design of God of Longevity (Jurōjin), Reading beneath a Star Constellation (obverse);Twelve-Character Inscription (reverse)
Shibata Zeshin
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Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Lacquered wood with gold, silver, color, takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, and togidashimaki-e, Japan — Poem Card (Tanzaku) Box with Flower Bouquet
Shibata Zeshin
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Rising Sun, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk, Japan — Rising Sun
Shibata Zeshin
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Three Men Looking at Framed Lacquer Drawing, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Album leaf; lacquer on gold paper, Japan — Three Men Looking at Framed Lacquer Drawing
Shibata Zeshin

Village among Rocks, Shibata Zeshin Japanese, Colored lacquers on paper, Japan — Village among Rocks
Shibata Zeshin
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