Smoke & steel: Weapons concealed as tobacco pipes & smokers’ accessories in early modern Japan

Abstract

Tobacco quickly found favour in Japan after its introduction in the late sixteenth century, leading to the development of the kiseru—a distinctive Japanese tobacco pipe. Building upon a long-standing tradition of concealing weapons within a variety of mundane objects, tobacco pipes and smokers’ accessories were soon modified to incorporate hidden spikes, blades, and even firearms. This short article, believed to be the first detailed assessment in the English language, explores the fascinating world of these covert self-defence tools. Through the examination of select artefacts, historical sources, and popular culture, this study provides a concise overview of these objects, shedding light on their design and purpose, and situating them within the broader Japanese arms and armour tradition.