Kizami

Koiki Kizami is a traditional kiseru tobacco produced from Virginia leaf grown in Japan. The name "Kizami" describes the leaf being sliced as fine as hair; though classed as shag, its fibers are far finer than usual shag cuts. It's unflavored and sold in small 10-gram pouches. Records indicate it's sold only within Japan, with export outside the country restricted by regulation.

The smoking method differs from Western pipe smoking: a pinch of tobacco is rolled between the fingers into a small ball and placed in the bowl of a kiseru, a pipe usually with a bamboo body, metal mouthpiece and a very small metal bowl. Since the bowl holds about an eighth of a teaspoon, the smoke finishes in a few puffs. The pouch note carries grassy freshness with light earth, wood and hay; once lit, lemony citrus and fresh grass come forward. Nicotine is notably filling; of interest to those interested in unflavored Virginia and traditional Japanese smoking practice.