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Ordinarily I'd be rubbing a pipe like this in someone's face, probably George's, and dancing and singing and being an asshole and stuff. The pipe is nice, I'm happy with my bends and curves and everything. But I kinda pretty much don't give a shit about any of that this time around, because this is a piece that was inspired by a pipe Shin-Ichi Kuwahara showed off just before Christmas. It was a really good LC type pipe, huge and beautiful, and all English, and given it was carved by a Japanese dude, I thought doubly cool. Full circle, international pipe-making goodness.

Kuwahara-san has been killed in a road accident. So I don't get to tell him about how much I liked his pipe, and I don't get to rub my briar in his face. I don't get to do anything fun at all, I just get to remember that life is fuckin short, and we all better damn well get whatever done we can.

RIP Shin-Ichi Kuwahara

Been there, know the feeling. "Suck" doesn't even begin to describe it.

At least you can take solace in knowing he was an evil, monster sadist dictator who killed thousands of people for pleasure and lived in plundered luxury for decades afterward, right?

Oh, wait. You said Ichi, not Idi.

Which is the other sucky part... someone's worth as a human being not only doesn't count for much on the Cosmic Scale of Justice, what little correspondence there is favors being an asshole.

An idea: Do some social media sleuthing to find his parents/wife/girlfriend/etc. and send them a note of condolence---a paper, not electronic, one---along with a photo of the pipe he inspired. Such things arriving from the other side of the world make for an authentic "Wow!" moment in the best possible way: His existence mattered more than you know.

Yeah I'll do a bit of sniffing.. I posted in a very busy facebook group, my go onto SK's page too... That's a nice idea.

Even though I never had the chance to meet him, my condolences to his family. And that's a really nice pipe.

I heard about this. It really does suck. He was quickly developing quite a penchant for just the types of shapes I like. I always looked forward to his posts. Heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.

Sasquatch wrote:I'm happy with my bends and curves huge and beautiful

You're weird.

Found it:

http://www.gqtobaccos.com/pipes/sold-ks ... oIOYsArKJ8

JMG wrote:

Sasquatch wrote:I'm happy with my bends and curves huge and beautiful

You're weird.

No, it's that sometimes---like after this sad event---his philosopher-poet-writer side takes over while the Sasquatch takes a break.

http://dspace.ucalgary.ca/bitstream/188 ... annard.pdf

Holy fuck that's back from when I was smart.

Smart enough to get the hell out of professional academics at any rate.

Sasquatch wrote:Holy fuck that's back from when I was smart.

Smart enough to get the hell out of professional academics at any rate.

Glad you dumbed it down for us ! The world of academics doesnt need a Sasquatch half as much as the world of pipe smokers do.

Beautiful pipe, Sas, and a fine tribute to Kuwahara-san. Very sad he will never see it and know he inspired it, but he did, and that's a testimony to a life well lived, even though it was way too short!

Cool George dug up that thesis... Always fun to see a little back story on the characters in our midst. Pipe smokers never cease to amaze me!

We have all the academics we can stand. There is but one Sasquatch and he fills places, the academics only dream of, on a good day!!!!!

Very cool pipe, Sas and very sad news as well.