News of Smio Satou’s Passing

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Ben.R.C

Lifer
Nov 20, 2022
3,991
84,974
54
North Carolina
I am very saddened by this as someone who recently started collecting his pipes. He seemed like a nice, humble man in the Pipe Magazine Radio interview I’ve listened to several times. I thought folks here would want to know.

 
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warren99

Lifer
Aug 16, 2010
2,015
23,982
California
So many of the great ones have passed within the last few years besides Smio Satou--Paulo Becker, Tom Spanu, Peter Heeschen, Rolando Negoita, Ingo Garbe, Lars Ivarsson, Baldo Baldi, Rainer Barbi and Poul Ilsted, to name a few. Their talents and creative accomplishments, however, will live on.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
43,506
109,717
The older generations are going away super fast. Maybe because I didn't pay attention before. But not just the pipe curves, music greats are keep disappearing.
Actors as well. They finally found Julian Sands remains recently.
 
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Dec 24, 2012
7,195
457
That is terrible news. He was one of my favourite pipemakers. I have about 8 of his pipes, many of them posted on here, and love them all. The man was a very skilled artists and the magic he could work with tsuishu was remarkable. Rest in peace. Posting my Satou Rhodesian in his honour.

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mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,210
60,466
Learning crafts through apprenticeship is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, and this really shows in the pipe posted by peck. It is a sort of a coming together of skills, knowing the right piece of briar, discovering the grain, and shaping the pipe to show that off, as well as the carving itself.

My wife has a friend who has trained in Japan in story telling, in a particular historical classical style. She apprenticed with a master, and among her early duties was polishing the master's shoes. Learning with the body, I presume.

The obituary is a fine tribute, concise and specific.
 

Ben.R.C

Lifer
Nov 20, 2022
3,991
84,974
54
North Carolina
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macaroni

Lifer
Oct 28, 2020
1,012
3,123
Texas
RIP - I too enjoy watching vids of him and a bent bamboo from SP US. I'm supposing that Shane Ireland has known him fairly well plus, likely, several pipe carvers--no doubt grieving the passing of their Friend. My thoughts go out to his family and to all his Friends.
kindly
mike
 
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Ben.R.C

Lifer
Nov 20, 2022
3,991
84,974
54
North Carolina
Here are my 3 fabulous Satou pipes, all great smokers, all recently acquired. I have one more on hold pending some estate evaluations to trade. I hope to continue to add to my Satou collection, in particular, I hope to find one with Tsuishu. His style is so original.
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PipeIT

Lifer
Nov 14, 2020
4,495
27,257
Hawaii
He wasn’t even old by Japanese standards, sad... :(

@Ben.R.C here’s another one to add to your collection.

 

Ben.R.C

Lifer
Nov 20, 2022
3,991
84,974
54
North Carolina
He wasn’t even old by Japanese standards, sad... :(

@Ben.R.C here’s another one to add to your collection.

Actually, I do want that, I sent them an email about layaway options, do you know the shop?
 

AroEnglish

Lifer
Jan 7, 2020
3,891
11,803
Midwest
That is terrible news. He was one of my favourite pipemakers. I have about 8 of his pipes, many of them posted on here, and love them all. The man was a very skilled artists and the magic he could work with tsuishu was remarkable. Rest in peace. Posting my Satou Rhodesian in his honour.

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Is the tsuishu the inlay in the stem? And did Satou often create pipes without bamboo shanks? I think all the ones I’ve seen so far except for this use bamboo.
 
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Ben.R.C

Lifer
Nov 20, 2022
3,991
84,974
54
North Carolina
Is the tsuishu the inlay in the stem? And did Satou often create pipes without bamboo shanks? I think all the ones I’ve seen so far except for this use bamboo.
Urushi is the layered lacquer in the stem from what his father made. Tsuishu is the finish he uses. I see more bamboo than not, I have a hard time finding pieces with Urushi.
 
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Ben.R.C

Lifer
Nov 20, 2022
3,991
84,974
54
North Carolina
He wasn’t even old by Japanese standards, sad... :(

@Ben.R.C here’s another one to add to your collection.

I just bought this pipe. I’ve been trying to find one with Urushi and bamboo. Thank you!