1860s - 1890s Antique Japanese Kiseru - (Crane Motif)

A beautifully preserved traditional Japanese kiseru smoking pipe, dating from the late Edo period to the early Meiji era (approx. mid-to-late 19th century). This piece features an auspicious crane (tsuru) motif, a classic symbol of longevity and good fortune in Japanese culture.

The pipe exhibits fine craftsmanship characteristic of the period, with detailed metalwork on the bowl (gankubi) and mouthpiece (kuchi-ya). Notably, the metal sections show a visible rolled and joined seam, showing traditional hand-forged construction rather than modern casting. The long, elegant stem is well-proportioned, leading to a small, classic bowl designed for finely shredded kizami tobacco.

• Era: Late Edo / Early Meiji (19th Century)
• Motif: Hand-engraved Cranes
• Materials:
• Material: Solid, non-magnetic antique Brass (Shinchū).
• with a lacquer or decorative metal-wrapped stem.
• Construction: Rolled and joined metalwork (visible seam)
• Type: Rau-kiseru style (long stem, small bowl)