Kiseru Zutsu pipe case - lacquer Japanese brocade tobacco pouch - Signed - Cho ni Ha design - Meiji period

Description: Sagemono or tobacco set including a pipe case, an Ojime, a pipe and Kinshaku a brocade tobacco pouch. Kanagu, the clasp is in a shape of Eboshi. I a hat worn by Kannuchi, the person in charge of the maintenance of a Shinto shrine and KAKEJIKU a large japanese scroll, on which KUMO a spider is installed. KISERU ZUTSU, or the pipe-case, is decorated with a design that makes a wide basket-weave effect pattern all over the sides, that truly appears to be woven, inlaid with a butterfly fluttering above mulberry leaves. KINSHAKU, the brocade tobacco pouch, is decorated with several mountain landscapes, and a design of bell flower blossoms, clematis leaves and tendrils, embossed on the surface, and known as Chinese grass or KARAKUSA. RAN KISERU, the pipe, is formed with RAU the bamboo pipe and SUIKUCHI & GANKUBI the two ends of the pipe made of SHAKUDO TECHNIQUE The clasp is chiselled in a very high relief carving, with SHAKUDO, an alloy of copper and gold with a raven black patina and silver. KINSHAKU, or pouch, is in brocade, while the pipe case of MUZO ZUTSU a straight-sided form made of lacquered wood is delicately carved with accurate details in HIRAZOGAN and embellished in RADEN or mother of pearl. Fitted a red coral OJIME. SIGNATURE On the pipe case: 政随 SHōZUI On the clasp: 網代 AJIRO PERIOD/ORIGIN EDO period 19th century Japan COMMENTS A KISERU is a Japanese smoking pipe traditionally used for smoking KIZAMI, a finely shredded tobacco product resembling human hair. Tobacco was known in Japan from the 1570s at the earliest. By the early 17th century, the KISERU had become popular enough to even be mentioned in some Buddhist textbooks. It evolved along with the equipment and use of incense associated with the KODO. MATERIAL/SIZE Mixed material. Pouch: 130 x 75 mm Pipe case: 215 x 29 x 20 mm Pipe: 205 x 15 x 10 mm CONDITION Basically in decent condition considering the age. Pouch has been worn away by time. The pipe case is lightly cracked. See the detailed photos or e-mail me for more info.