In conjunction with the opening of our spring exhibition Chrysanthemum and Dragon: The Art of Ornamentation in Japan and China in the 17th – 19th Century, co-curator Dr. Reiko Sakaki will give an introductory talk on the history of tobacco in Japan, focussing on specific smoking accoutrements such as the kiseru (smoking pipe), tabako-bon (tobacco tray), tabakoire (tobacco pouch). Tobacco originated from the ancient civilisations of the Americas, and was regarded as a sacred plant. Its arrival in Japan during the late 16th century and throughout the Edo period (1603–1868) led to the formation of a unique Japanese smoking culture. Attendees will also have the unique opportunity of handling some of these objects themselves at the lecture. Dr. Sakaki is curator at the Tobacco and Salt Museum in Tokyo. After graduating from the Kansai University in Osaka, Japan, Dr. Sakaki furthered her study at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in Mexico City. She specialises in the history of tobacco cultures around the world.