September 2026 – October 2027

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„IPPUKU – THE CULTURE OF JAPANESE TOBACCO“ is the title of the new exhibition at the IFICAH Museum of Asian Culture in Hollenstedt. The Japanese term ippuku refers to a brief pause in everyday life – a moment to stop and reflect, traditionally associated, for example, with a cup of tea or the enjoyment of tobacco. Taking this concept as its starting point, the exhibition explores a distinctive aspect of Japanese everyday life and cultural history.

Rather than focusing primarily on tobacco itself, the exhibition examines the rich material culture that developed around its use in Japan. Over the centuries, smoking became embedded in social customs and rituals, giving rise to a remarkable variety of finely crafted objects. Small smoking stands, known as tabako-bon, were used to offer tobacco and smoking utensils to guests in private homes or to visitors during business meetings. Elaborately crafted tobacco pouches, pipe cases, and pipes likewise demonstrate the extraordinary diversity and precision of Japanese craftsmanship.

The objects on display bring together a wide range of materials and techniques. European gold leather appears alongside delicate weaving, elaborate lacquer work, and masterfully executed metalwork. The exhibits therefore tell not only the story of tobacco consumption, but also of cultural exchange between Europe and Asia and of the ability of Japanese craftsmen to absorb outside influences and transform them into a distinctive artistic language of their own.

As in many areas of everyday life in Japan, the use of tobacco was shaped by a particular awareness of form, material, and social convention. Objects originally created for practical purposes evolved into artfully designed companions of daily life. Their exceptional craftsmanship and aesthetic refinement offer insights into social customs while also reflecting the high esteem traditionally accorded to craftsmanship in Japan.

The exhibition opens a window onto a largely unfamiliar aspect of Japanese cultural history. Rather than considering tobacco in isolation, it places it within the broader context of social rituals, international exchange, and artistic traditions. In doing so, it offers a nuanced perspective on a subject whose cultural significance extends far beyond the use of tobacco itself.

Ippuku invites visitors to pause for a moment and, through these exceptional objects, discover an aspect of Japanese everyday culture and craftsmanship that has received relatively little attention to date.