SaruDama

Arabic Medwakh Pipes and Dokha Tobacco

2011-08-07T19:47:55Z

As you may well know, I enjoy ethnic pipes and tobacco, most prominently Japanese Kiseru and Turkish Meerschaum pipes (and their respective tobaccos).

After my primary retailer of Kiseru informed me that he could no longer sell internationally, the search began for a new recommended source. I eventually found Medwakh.com, which has an excellent selection of Japanese Kiseru and tobacco, but also specializes in Arabic Medwakh pipes and Dokha tobacco.

For those unfamiliar with Dokha, here is a short history/explanation by Bassem Chahine, owner of Medwakh.com:

Dokha is a traditional Arabic tobacco, traditionally mixed with herbs, spices, dried flowers, and/or fruit, which has been smoked in the Middle East for over 500 years. Some dokha blends, especially the more traditional type blends from Iran and Turkey, may also be mixed with the leaves and bark of various indigenous plants. Dokha comes in hundreds of strengths, flavors, and brand names. The main strengths offered by most sellers are cold (barid), warm (daffi), and hot (har). Many vendors also offer moderating strengths in these three ranges, usually designated as an 'over-cold', or an 'extra-hot'. These designations refer to the actual harshness of the tobacco, not necessarily to the amount of 'buzz' a blend may impart. Generally speaking, the harsher a blend, the more 'buzz' it may impart, but there are many warm and over-warm blends that have been specifically developed to give the user maximum laf raas (Arabic for 'head spin').

Unlike hookah tobacco, dokha is not cured with molasses or honey. Dokha tobacco, a type of tobacco found only in the Middle East, is extremely high in nicotine content and is harvested, dried, and processed with that feature in mind. Dokha tobacco is not harvested and cured like western tobaccos, but is usually cut, transported, set to dry in the sun, and processed into various blends all in a span of mere days, or at most weeks. This expedited process is possible, of course, because dokha is cured and processed in areas where the daily temperature can reach 135+ f. Degrees daily with a humidity of less than 8%. No chemicals, preservatives, or enhancers are used in the processing of traditional dokha blends, just natural additives. Flavour additives fall into two general categories, savory and sweet/fruit. The traditional dokha blends are mostly savory, and flavored with a wide variety of spices, herbs, and dried flowers, all used to enhance the very distinct flavours and notes of the different dokha tobaccos. The more modern blends are patterned after hookah tobacco, and are heavily flavoured with fruit, mint, or clove, and often meant to cloak the actual tobacco taste and soften the harshness.

There is some typical cultural confusion as to the genesis of dokha and the small pipes, called medwakh or midwakh, it is traditionally smoked with. Coastal Arabs claim to have invented both the medwakh and the various tobacco mixes smoked in them. The Iranians (Persians then) say that both the pipes and original herbal smoking mix originated in the Gilaki area of northern iran in the 1400's or earlier. The original Iranian smoking mix was a mixture of various fire and sun cured non-tobacco leaf, small dried powdered flowers, bergamot oil, fig leaf, and almond/pistachio oil. This mix can still be found in that area of Iran today. The small pipe used to smoke this mixture was ideal for sailors to use while at sea, and gradually the use of this smoking mix and pipe made its way up and down the Caspian sea. As tobacco was introduced into the Middle East in the 1500's, the Iranian smoking mixture was fortified and eventually replaced with various blends of dokha tobacco. During the next few hundred years in the Ottoman Empire various attempts were made to stop and outlaw the smoking of all tobacco consumption in public and private, which ironically led to the popularization of dokha tobacco and the medwakh with the general Arab public.

The small inexpensive pipe (medwakh) and extremely potent easily cured tobacco became the ideal 'stealth' smoking method. Heavily fortified with spices, the familiar smell of tobacco wasn't as easily recognized. Such a small amount was smoked at a time that very little 'second hand smoke' was produced to attract unwanted attention, or stain ones clothes and fingers. In the worst case scenario, the inexpensive pipe and small amount of tobacco could simply be dropped and walked away from without attracting a large amount of attention, or incurring a large monetary loss. As Arabic cultural views on the use of tobacco gradually relaxed, and hookah smoking became the preferred method for tobacco consumption, the popularity of dokha waned, except with the sailors who had originally introduced it. As it was impractical for those at sea to use a hookah, the medwakh and dokha remained popular with sailors and in the coastal areas they would trade and eventually settle in. This is why today dokha in the Middle East is found almost exclusively in the UAE, home to the Middle Eastern sea trade and sailors for the last 2000 years or more.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have already ordered a camel-bone medwakh pipe and the hot dokha tobacco. I'll report back soon.

Japanese Kiseru/Koiki Tobacco - How To Buy

2011-08-02T01:10:47Z

Since the demise of LSando, I have received OH SO MANY email requests regarding alternative US retailers. After a great deal of investigation, I know of only one reliable source which sells authentic Japanese pipes *AND* authentic Japanese tobacco.

Please say Hello to Medwakh.com.

Medwakh specializes in Arabic pipes and tobacco, but they also have an excellent selection of Japanese Kiseru pipes and sell the traditional Japanese Koiki tobacco.

I (very) recently ordered both a pipe and tobacco from Medwakh to see how reliable they were. I am pleased to say that my order was shipped within one day (everything I ordered was "in stock") and I received tracking numbers for my shipment.

I already possess my personal quota of Kiseru, and I have a nice collection of (Turkish) Meerschaum pipes, so I was very intrigued by the Arabic "medwakh" pipes and tobacco predominantly sold by Medwakh.com. I (of course) indulged myself and bought one camel bone pipe and a good deal of the house special of "hot dokha" tobacco. I will let you know my impression/experience in a later post.

For those unfamiliar with Arabic Dokha tobacco, I posted a brief description here, written by Medwakh.com owner Bassem Chahine.

If you are interested in Kiseru pipes and tobacco, or more broadly ethnic smoking experiences, SaruDama can now fully recommend Medwakh.com

The Summer of the Ubume - Ubume no Natsu (Natsuhiko Kyogoku 1994) - Book Review

2010-10-04T18:46:25Z

The Summer of the Ubume
[Ubume no Natsu]

Genre: Traditional Folklore Mystery Horror
Author: Natsuhiko Kyogoku (1994)

review in one breath

After Sekiguchi runs across a strange story he intends to publish for his supernatural-fueled tabloid, he soon finds it contains more horrific truth than he can wrap his head around. With the help of his clever and well-read friend Kyogokudo, he delves deeper and deeper into the mystery, a trajectory which will have him questioning his sanity, metaphysics and the overlap of Reality with the supernatural realm. This was the first novel by one of Japan's up and coming Mystery/Horror authors, Natsuhiko Kyogoku.

Ju-on: Kuroi Shoujo - The Grudge: Girl In Black (Asato Mari 2009)

2010-09-30T20:12:58Z

Ju-on: Kuroi Shoujo
[The Grudge: Girl in Black ]

Genre:Supernatural Horror

review in one breath

Young Fukie is suddenly stricken with a mysterious malady and is rushed to the local hospital for examination. Though her situation appears to be stabilizing, those coming into contact with her soon find themselves at the mercy of a dark, malignant power.This new Ju-on film is one of two made for the 10th anniversary commemoration of the Ju-on's original appearance.

Ju-on: Shiroi Roujo - The Grudge: Old Lady In White (Miyake Ryuta 2009)

2010-09-30T16:44:31Z

Ju-on: Shiroi Roujo
[The Grudge:Old Lady in White ]

Genre:Supernatural Horror

review in one breath

When the Yokota family discovers a sprawling home on the market for a rock-bottom price, they can't resist and quickly move in. Little do they realize that their new dream home was once occupied by the infamous Saeki family and the locus of a horrendously malevolent curse on all who enter. This new Ju-on film is one of two made for the 10th anniversary commemoration of the Ju-on's original appearance.

The Big Tits Dragon: Hot Spring Zombies vs Strippers 5 (Nakano Takao 2010)

2010-09-29T16:21:42Z

The Big Tits Dragon: Hot Spring Zombies vs Strippers 5
[Kyonyu doragon: Onsen zonbi vs sutorippa 5

Genre:You guessed it! Tits, Zombies and Strippers!!

review in one breath

Sombrero-wearing tough girl stripper Rena has returned from Mexico only to find herself baring her wares in a seedy little strip joint in podunk Japan. And if the non-existent tips and octogenarian oglers weren't enough, Rena and her nudie compadres soon discover that the abandoned hot spring resort next door is littered with flesh eating ZOMBIES! Behold as our Breast-Baring Babes Battle the Brain-Eating Undead!

Legends of the Poisonous Seductress: Okatsu the Fugitive (Nakagawa Nobuo 1969)

2010-09-22T17:03:13Z

Legends of the Poisonous Seductress: Okatsu the Fugitive
[Yoen Dokufuden: Okatsu Kyojo Tabi]

Genre: Early Pinky Violence

review in one breath

Poor, beautiful Okatsu! It seems no matter what film she is in, violent men are after her HOT BODY and are willing to do anything to get it! Here (again) her noble father is murdered by a libidinous scoundrel who just happens to be a top local politician. In order to exact her violent revenge, Okatsu is going to have to dig deep into her bag of feminine wiles and WHOOP-ASS. This is the third film in the early Pinky Violence trilogy "Legends of the Poisonous Seductress" and is directed by Nobuo Nakagawa.

Legends of the Poisonous Seductress: Quick Draw Okatsu (Nakagawa Nobuo 1969)

2010-09-22T16:11:14Z

Legends of the Poisonous Seductress: Quick draw Okatsu
[Yoen Dokufuden: Hitokiri Okatsu]

Genre: Early Pinky Violence

review in one breath

Beautiful Okatsu must summon her inner killer to avenge an attack upon herself and the brutal murder of her father. This will involve being sold into prostitution, hunted by a huge mob, and leaving a trail of dead bodies behind her. Good thing she's a kick-ass sword master! This is the second film in the "Legends of the Poisonous Seductress" trilogy, directed by early j-horror maestro Nobuo Nakagawa.

Legends of the Poisonous Seductress: Female Demon Ohyaku (Ishikawa Yoshihiro 1968)

2010-09-17T16:13:33Z

Legends of the Poisonous Seductress: Female Demon Ohyaku
[Yoen Dokufuden: Hannya no Ohyaku]

Genre: Early Pinky Violence

review in one breath

The beautiful performer Ohyaku has had a rough life, but when she encounters the young thief Shinkuro it seems her fortunes have finally changed. However, things quickly turn from elated to horrified when a local magistrate uses a botched robbery as an excuse to brutally kill her lover and imprison her within Japan's most notorious jail. Only through her stunning beauty and fixation on vengeance will Ohyaku possibly be able to escape her shackles and exact a revenge worthy of coming from a Female Demon!

Kaidan Hebi Onna - Snake Woman's Curse (Nakagawa Nobuo 1968)

2010-09-16T14:12:37Z

Kaidan Hebi Onna
[Snake Woman's Curse]

Genre: Kaidan Social Commentary

review in one breath

When young Asa loses the lives of her father, mother and even herself at the hands of a cruel land owner, the cry for justice is loud enough to literally wake the dead. This relatively "modern" ghost tale is as much a warning against rousing angry spirits as it is against inhumane socio-economic conditions. The film is the final "kaidan" of the 1950-1960s collection by early j-horror maestro Nobuo Nakagawa and showcases his decades as a premiere ghost-story teller.

Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan (Nakagawa Nobuo 1959)

2010-09-10T14:43:09Z

Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan
[The Ghost of Yotsuya]

Genre: Traditional Kaidan

review in one breath

Unscrupulous ronin Tamiya Iemon lies and kills to obtain the woman and future he desires, all the while feigning to be an upright and noble samurai. But when he causes the painful and sorrowful death of his once beloved wife Oiwa, her ghost vows justice and vengeance. This is a retelling of Japan's most classic horror tale brought to you by one of SaruDama's favorite directors, Nobuo Nakagawa.

Maid's Secret (Nakamura Kazuyoshi 2008)

2010-09-05T21:37:23Z

Maid's Secret
[Maido no Himitsu]

Genre: Epic Maid Battle between Sadists and Masochists!

review in one breath

Harumi and Misuzu are both after the same guy Keita but each takes a wildly different tact at getting him. Harumi, believing Keita prefers to be served, dons the outfit of a Maid and spends the next year practicing subservience at an Akihabara Maid Cafe populated by nerds and otaku. Misuzu suspects that Keita wishes for a stronger woman and so she throws herself headlong into the role of a Dominatrix. By the time Keita gets around to deciding who he likes best, he'll not only be exhausted but stuffed as well!

Female Slave Ship - Onna Dorei-sen (Onada Yoshiki 1960)

2010-09-05T17:33:21Z

Female Slave Ship
[Onna Dorei-sen]

Genre: War Hero Despite Defeat

review in one breath

The year is 1945, months prior to Japan's ultimate defeat in WW2, and military lieutenant Sugawa is sent on a critical mission to deliver micro-fiche war plans to Tokyo from his base in Malaysia. But while flying over Chinese waters his plane is shot down and he is taken aboard a ship bound for Shanghai to deliver its merchandise - a ship filled with Female Slaves kidnapped from Japan. Will he abandon the women to pursue his main objective? Or will he fight foes, spies and pirates to save these women against all odds?

Bounty Hunter Vixens: Treasure of Lust (Iguchi Seiichi 2006)

2010-09-04T17:20:50Z

Bounty Hunter Vixens: Treasure of Lust
[Jorou Insatsu Rashin Kenbu]
aka Ninja Vixens 7

Genre: Sexy Ninjas versus Formidable Villain

review in one breath

Femme Fatale Rio takes on her biggest bounty yet when she attempts to bring the infamous Rage and his Haze Gang to justice. Alongside her Sexy Sensei Lotus and her goofy sidekick, they unknowingly infiltrate and take long hot baths in the enemies lair. Will Rio and her compradres realize their predicament before they are ambushed? Tune in boys and girls!

Ninja Vixens: Devilish Angels (Takeuchi Mineko 2006)

2010-09-03T18:15:30Z

Ninja Vixens: Devilish Angels
[Kunoichi Nimpoden: Tenshi to Akuma]
aka Ninja Vixens 3

Genre: Sexy Ninja fights Boobs and Beasts for JUSTICE!

review in one breath

After defecting from her clan of ninja assassins, curvaceous Anju now wanders the back roads killing bad guys as a rogue bounty hunter. But hot on her (hot) tail is Orchid, her buxom rival and former fellow assassin, with the intent of making Anju pay for her insubordination. To survive and avenge her past, Anju will need every trick and wile hidden up her cleavage!