which are made with a single piece of metal. Metal such as brass or silver is beaten to shape the mouthpiece and bowl, then the sides are joined together with silver solder. The mouthpiece and bowl are often engraved with intricate and decorative designs. Kiseru as a weapon The length of a typical kiseru usually measured between 6 and 10 inches, and their metal ends made them suitable impromptu self-defence weapons in emergencies. Much heavier and longer kiseru were often carried by common people living on the fringes of society, such as the yakuza, gamblers, and gangsters, which were designed to be used as weapons. These pipes were called kenka kiseru (fighting pipes), ranging anywhere from 12 to 18 inches long. These pipes were often made of cast iron or brass, making them effective truncheon-like weapons for striking opponents. The samurai were also known to use kiseru as weapons, often for rare occasions when a samurai would be parted with his swords but still required a means of self-defence. Like the kenka kiseru, they were made completely from cast iron or brass and were called buyōkiseru. A typical buyōkiseru was about 16 inches long, and could be easily carried in an obi without raising suspicion. Because kiseru were so often used as weapons during the Edo period, several classical martial arts schools incorporated secret techiniques into their curriculums. A style of fighting armed with a kiseru was commonly referred to as kiseru-jutsu, and used similar techniques to those used in tessenjutsu. Notes Bibliography Smoke: a global history of smoking (2004) edited by Sander L. Gilman and Zhou Xun Pipe smoking Japanese inventions Japanese culture Improvised weapons Samurai weapons and equipment