Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2013

Wooden kokeshi dolls, with their armless bodies and round heads are something of a symbol of Japan. Someone over at Kokeshi Match Seisakusho (www.kokeshi-m.com) must have noticed that they also look a lot like matches—and ran with the idea. The company’s painted “torches of life” (from ¥189 per box) are almost too cute to burn. Also coming in pig, cat and other designs, they are the perfect conversation starter when lighting a cigarette for that attractive stranger. Since the boxes are also attractively designed, there is no need to wrap them before making them a gift to your favorite smoker or pyromaniac.

Available at Communication Mania, Shinjuku Marui Annex (3-1-26 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku).