Tabako bon

Important in terms of hospitality, is the tabako bon, a tray for the various implements used in smoking Kizami, the traditional shredded tobacco. These include namely the hi’ire, a ceramic container for holding a small, lit charcoal; the small-bowled long-stemmed pipes called Kizeru; and a small container for the tobacco itself. All the smoking implements used in Tea are simple and elegant, as opposed to the elaborate and showy ones used in the pleasure quarters.

The earliest record of such a tabako bon dates to 1565. Since then, the tabako bon as a sign of relaxation has played an important role in the hospitality of private homes as well as tea shops, restaurants and inns.

Of the two major types, with handle and without, there are plain wood as well as lacquered examples used in Tea. Rarer materials include woven bamboo or twisted paper called koyori. There are cutouts, handles of vine, whalebone, split bamboo and thin wood, as well as metal fittings. Interesting feet include half walnit shells.

The item normally found in a tabakobon is:

Haifuki

hi’ire

Kizeru (optional)

Tabako (optional)
Tabako bon is placed in

Machiai

Koshikake machiai

Given to shokyaku during usucha

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