Table of content
A brief history
Founded in Tokyo in 1952, Tsubota Pearl is a Japanese brand known for its design-forward refillable lighters. Originally focused on cigarette cases and lighters, the company quickly gained a reputation for combining traditional Japanese craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
Hard Edge Lighter: Redefining the Flip-Top
The Hard Edge lighter challenges expectations with its modular construction and clean, angular silhouette. Instead of glue or solder, the case, cap, and tank are connected with a precise hinge mechanism. Its 2mm-thick polycarbonate shell improves fuel efficiency while offering creative flexibility.
The Hard Edge Latitude lighter, for example, features a ridged surface carved using a diamond-tipped engraving bit. It feels as good in the hand as it looks on your coffee table - design-first, yet highly functional.
Explore our selection of Hard Edge lighters.
Origin of the Hard Edge
In the 1990s, founder Hiroshi Tsubota noticed that most lighters were rounded for comfort. He intentionally did the opposite, choosing sharp lines and a boxy form that broke from tradition:
We took the unusual, if inefficient, approach of employing this technique used for jewelry and the ornamentation of metal, and applied it to polycarbonate.
Hiroshi's goal was to create a lighter that didn’t look like one at first glance. Using durable, heat-resistant polycarbonate and a refillable tank system, the first Hard Edge lighter launched in 1998 in six core colors. Today, the collection continues to evolve.
Latitude Collection: The Ripple Effect
The Latitude lighter keeps the same minimal shape as the Hard Edge but adds tactile dimension. A geometric ripple pattern is carved directly into the polycarbonate case using a diamond-cut technique typically reserved for jewelry.
This intricate process creates a surface that feels luxurious without sacrificing durability. If you're a fan of our Signature Ripple glassware, you’ll appreciate how closely the textures align.
Marble Collection: Hand-Lacquered Japanese Craft
The Marbled lighter collection features a tortoiseshell-like finish achieved through a multi-step hand-lacquering process. Each lighter is painted using stencils, then sealed with a glossy clear coat applied by hand.
This technique nods to Japan’s mid-century lacquerware tradition, giving each piece a one-of-a-kind, organic air-brush print. The process demands precision, especially when ensuring that the cap and body align visually.
Queue Lighter: A Minimalist's Everyday Companion
Slim, sustainable, and steeped in Japanese tradition.
The Tsubota Pearl Queue Lighter first debuted in the 1970s and was reintroduced in 2004. Handcrafted in Tokyo’s Asakusa district, it pairs Japanese craftsmanship with minimalist design. Its slim brass and steel body houses a removable cap and cotton wick, creating a lighter that feels solid in the hand. Measuring just 85 x 8 x 8 mm, it’s ideal for lighting candles, incense, or tucking into a purse or pocket for everyday carry.
The Queue is a refillable petrol lighter made for those who move slower and value what lasts. It offers a quiet alternative to disposable lighters, built to be refueled and repaired over time. Replacement wicks and replacement flint are available to keep it burning well into the future.
Sustainable Aesthetics
Tsubota Pearl lighters aren’t for the disposable mindset. They’re for people who move slower, who notice, who care. Each lighter carries the spirit of vintage design, the ease of Nordic minimalism, and the deep intention of Japanese craftsmanship. Designed for daily use, lasting care, and a life beyond throwaway trends.
Small reminders that even everyday objects deserve better. Find yours here.
Shop the Collection
