The Curious Smoking Pipe of East Asia

Alright, confession time. Though it’s not like I ever tried to hide it... I’m what modern society calls a smoker. Yes, one of those near-extinct creatures still puffing away in the age of anti-smoking crusades. 

But even among that dwindling tribe, I’m apparently some sort of cryptid. Why? Because the device I smoke with looks downright bizarre, even to other smokers. 

So today, allow me to showcase my peculiar tool of choice and why I stick with it. 

Behold, the Kiseru a traditional Japanese smoking pipe. The first questions I usually get are, "Is that for opium?" or "Is that even legal?" Relax. It’s just for regular tobacco. You pack a pinch of leaf into the tiny metal bowl, light it, and enjoy the smoke.

This is nothing fancy just brass and bamboo, about 14 dollars. Sure, the pricier ones use silver or have intricate engravings, but trust me, this humble piece is more than enough to enjoy the flavor.

So, what makes this odd little pipe better than the usual cigarettes? I actually do smoke cigarettes occasionally, just to socialize, so I can compare the two. Advantages of the Kiseru 

• It doesn’t reek

You might think, "Tobacco is smelly, period😟" Wrong. It’s the paper and the chemical additives in cigarettes that create that infamous stench. The kiseru burns only pure leaf no paper, no mystery chemicals. So the smell is faint and fades quickly. 

• It’s cheaper

Tobacco leaf for a kiseru is minimally processed compared to cigarettes, so it costs less. I smoke at least three sessions a day, about ten minutes each. Just for comparison, I once tried keeping the same pace with a 20-pack of cigarettes. It ran dry in six days. Meanwhile, the loose leaf I bought for the same price lasted me two months. I don’t think I need to spell out which one is kinder to your wallet.

• The taste stays consistent

Cigarettes start fine, sure, but as the fire creeps closer to your lips, it gets hot, harsh, and disgusting. That’s when I usually toss the last bit. With a kiseru, the flame stays far away, so the flavor doesn’t deteriorate. You smoke every leaf, no waste. Those are the big three.

Any smoker reading this should by now grasp the charm of the kiseru. But if it was so great, why did Japan, China, and Korea all abandon it in favor of cigarettes? 

Simple, It does have one weakness. 

Remember how I said the flavor doesn’t change? Well, that’s only if you clean it once a week. Tar builds up inside the pipe after long use. I run a cloth soaked in ethanol through the pipe, and it’s spotless in five minutes. Personally, I don’t mind. But society prefers the throwaway convenience of cigarettes. No maintenance, just burn and toss. Disposable always wins in the modern world.

 I won’t encourage non-smokers to start. But if you already smoke and want richer flavor or cheaper habits maybe, just maybe, give the kiseru a try.