Kiseru (tobacco pipe)
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Tobacco was introduced to Japan in the 16th century, probably by the
Portuguese. The tobacco plant was first grown on Tanegashima, an island
south of Kyushu, and later in the Nagasaki area. In the first decade of the 17th century, the government tried to prohibit smoking but
the habit continued to spread and the pipe (kiseru) and tobacco container,
attached to the belt by a toggle (netsuke), became a common accessory The
pipe consists of three parts, the metal gankubi ("goose's head") bowl, the
bamboo stem and the mouthpiece (suikuchi). The bowl holds a very small
amount of tobacco-enough for just three or four puffs of the pipe. Nowadays
the kiseru is rarely used other than by old people in isolated communities.
The majority of Japanese smokers choose cigarettes or a Western-style pipe.
Only one domestic brand of shredded tobacco - "Kikyo" distributed by the
Japan Tobacco Monopoly - is now available.
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