Tsubota Pearl | Queue Mini Lighter

Tsubota Pearl Lighters

A Japanese design icon, since 1952.

Founded in Tokyo by Hiroshi Tsubota, Tsubota Pearl began with a simple ambition: to create well-designed, functional objects that could find their way into everyday life. The company’s first original product, introduced in 1953, was an acrylic cigarette case with an integrated lighter. A year later, the brand began developing its own metal cigarette cases, followed by dedicated lighter production in 1958.

The name Pearl was inspired by Japan’s success in cultivating pearls, reflecting the founder’s hope that his products would travel beyond Japan and find a place around the world. More than seven decades later, that ambition remains part of the brand’s identity.

Tsubota Pearl has built its reputation on a distinctive approach to industrial design. Its lighters balance mechanical ingenuity with clean lines, considered proportions, and an unmistakable sense of character. From the architectural simplicity of the Hard Edge to the compact, cigarette-shaped Sigaretta, each design demonstrates how an everyday object can become something worth keeping.

Still producing its original designs in Tokyo, Tsubota Pearl brings together decades of manufacturing experience, thoughtful engineering, and a commitment to objects made for long-term use. In an age of disposable goods, its refillable lighters offer a considered alternative: practical tools with a lasting relationship to the people who carry them.

Care and Maintenance

Designed for regular use, Tsubota Pearl lighters are made to be refilled and maintained rather than discarded. 

For Queue: Use lighter fluid specifically intended for wick lighters. (Any Zippo style fuel will work) Refill the internal fuel reservoir as directed, taking care not to overfill or spill fluid onto the exterior. Allow any spilled fuel to evaporate fully before lighting.

For everyday care: Keep the exterior clean with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners and prolonged exposure to moisture, particularly on plated or coated finishes. When not in use, store the lighter away from heat and direct sunlight.

With the right fuel and a little care, these are objects designed to stay in circulation for years. Their appeal extends beyond the initial purchase to the pleasure of keeping a well-made object in working order.

We’re pleased to welcome Tsubota Pearl to KNIFE. A collection of enduring Japanese design, made to be used, maintained, and appreciated for years to come.

The Queue

First introduced in 2004, the Queue is a study in minimalism. Measuring just 85 mm in length, its slender, cigarette-sized silhouette houses a refillable petrol lighter in a form that feels almost impossibly compact. The name itself hints at its elongated shape, while the design reflects Tsubota Pearl’s ability to find elegance in the simplest of forms.

Constructed from metal with a cotton wick, the Queue combines a satisfying mechanical simplicity with a distinctive, often colourful exterior. Its proportions are understated, its function straightforward, and its design unmistakably Japanese. A small everyday object that manages to be both practical and quietly playful.

Made in Japan, the Queue is refillable with standard lighter fluid, with replaceable flint and wick components that allow it to be maintained over time. A thoughtful piece of industrial design, built to be carried rather than left on a shelf.

Available in four distinct colour finishes. 

All Tsubota Pearl lighters are made in Tokyo, Japan.

Toonie for scale.