History

Tsubota Pearl was established in 1952 by Mr. Hiroshi Tsubota in Tokyo, Japan. Initially, they focused on manufacturing and distributing various types of lighters, including pocket lighters, pipe lighters, and candle lighters.

Over the years, Tsubota Pearl has gained a reputation for its craftsmanship, attention to detail, and innovative designs. The company combines traditional techniques with modern aesthetics to create unique and functional lighters.

Tsubota Pearl lighters are known for their sleek and elegant designs, often incorporating vibrant colors and patterns. The company offers a diverse range of styles to cater to different preferences, from classic and minimalist designs to more artistic and decorative pieces. Their lighters are often considered collector's items and are valued for their quality and craftsmanship.

Design Process

  Unveiling Unique: The Hard Edge Difference

When it comes to lighters, the Hard Edge by Tsubota Pearl breaks the mold in a distinctive way. Its construction is a departure from the norm. Comprising individual parts like the lighter cap, outer case, and tank, all artfully connected by a hinge, it achieves a 'seamless' design, eliminating the need for glue or soldering. Notably, the case thickness measures 2mm, enhancing both fuel efficiency and design flexibility. Take, for instance, the engraved Latitude model, a testament to the Hard Edge's unique approach to design.

  A Legacy of Innovation

Behind this innovation stands founder Hiroshi Tsubota, an artist at heart with a penchant for originality. His aversion to following trends led him to personally design each creation, and his background in jewelry inspired genderless designs that defied conventions. Even in an era when lighters were considered masculine, his dedication to breaking stereotypes laid the foundation for Tsubota Pearl's development philosophy today. 

Hard Edge History

In the 1990s, when Hiroshi Tsubota was in the process of conceiving a fresh design for a lighter, he had a crucial epiphany. He observed that the majority of lighters available on the market featured rounded corners, a deliberate ergonomic choice for hand comfort. Yet, this realization sparked an unconventional idea in his mind. What if he deliberately introduced angled corners, creating a lighter that, though subtly, challenged convention by causing a slight discomfort when held?

During that era, most lighters were characterized by intricate shapes, often emphasizing ornate aesthetics and significant weight. Hiroshi harbored a desire to break away from this prevailing trend, seeking a more minimalistic approach. His vision entailed a simple box-shaped lighter, distinguished by its lightweight plastic outer casing. By combining the features of a Zippo-style tank with a shell constructed from heat- and shock-resistant polycarbonate, he crafted a final product defined by its clean lines and flat surfaces. In essence, it resembled a truncated square bar and did not immediately reveal its identity as a lighter.

The year 1998 marked the introduction of this innovative model to the market, featuring a primary color palette comprising red, blue, yellow, green, black, and transparent variations. As we fast forward to the present day, the Hard Edge lighter has evolved to encompass a diverse range of colors and finishes, firmly establishing itself as one of Hiroshi Tsubota's most iconic and recognizable creations within his product portfolio.

Latitude Lighters

The Latitude maintains the minimalist elegance of its predecessor, the Hard Edge. Its clean lines and box-shaped design are not sacrificed but rather enhanced. What sets it apart is the introduction of a three-dimensional, ridged pattern on the casing. This geometric marvel is achieved through a meticulous process known as "diamond cut," where intricate patterns are etched into the surface using a diamond-tipped engraving bit.

Founder Hiroshi Tsubota explains this unconventional approach, "We took the unusual, if inefficient, approach of employing this technique used for jewelry and the ornamentation of metal, and applied it to polycarbonate." The result is a striking fusion of luxury and utility. The ripple pattern, both visually captivating and tactilely stimulating, transforms the Latitude into more than just a lighter; it becomes a piece of functional art. We’re also huge fans of the Latitude lighter because of how closely its aesthetic matches our own bespoke ripple glassware design:

Marbled Lighters

  The Artistry of Handcrafted Elegance

The Marble pattern finish is done by hand using stencils, one by one on each lighter. As the lacquering process commences, these stencils are carefully floated off the surface, creating the perfect blur, giving birth to the unmistakable tortoise shell like pattern. The size of the lighter often necessitates a change of stencils. Moreover, both the cap and the body must be painted with utmost precision to ensure a continuous pattern that seamlessly flows across the two components.

  The Dance of Blurring and Clarity

Once the Marble pattern has been delicately lacquered, a clear coating is applied, adding an exquisite shine to the piece. But there's no shortcut to brilliance here; this final gleam is achieved through the loving touch of skilled hands. It's a process that harks back to the bygone era of lighter manufacturing, a tradition that thrived between 1960 and 1980. During that time, it was in vogue to lacquer metallic lighters with a faux 'tortoise' pattern, showcasing the innate artistry of Japanese craftsmanship.

                                                                          photo credit: Mike Lyon

Shop Light Provisions curated Tsubota Pearl lighters here.

References

https://www.shop-tetra.com/blogs/news/history-of-tsubota-pearl-lighters

https://tsubotapearl.co.jp/about/

**All photos taken by Michael Lyon and Light Provisions