I recently posted about Masami Sakakibara’s (AKA Tenkara no Oni) new English-language website and how it opened up a world of information to the western world. Well now, I’m pleased to announce that Sakakibara-sensei has agreed to do an interview with me! My first reaction was to send over a list of my own questions and just post his responses. But then, I thought it might be more beneficial to the western tenkara community if I opened it up to Tenkara Talk readers and get YOUR questions answered (not just mine). So, if you’d like to ask a question to the preeminent master, post it as a comment here. I will review all the comments, compile them, and include the top ones in my interview. Tenkara no Oni is a legend in tenkara and this is a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between Japanese and western styles of tenkara so your participation is imperative in writing the story of tenkara beyond Japan. I look forward to your questions and Tenkara no Oni’s answers. Please have your questions in no later than Friday October 12th.
1st, thank you so much for taking questions from us readers Mr. Sakakibara. I have enjoyed your new website and all the videos you have posted about tenkara.
My question…
is there anything, say a technique or method or anything for that matter that is not being taught by the various worldwide tenkara companies that you wish would be promoted. Maybe something of great importance that no one seems to be selling, expressing, training, or showing that really should be. If there is, can you let us know what that is and how we can learn more about it.
Thank you. TJ
While enjoying the Tenkara methodology of fishing..I miss using a dry fly and seeing the fish rise to the take. Do you ever use any pattern as a dry…if so could you share?
Thanks
Ron
What do you see as the difference in Tenkara in Japan vs. Tenkara in the United States?
Are you pleased to see the method adapter to our fishing waters or is it advancing in the wrong direction (as in are the American Tenkara anglers overcomplicating it)?
ADAPTED not adapter!
My biggest issue when I’m tenkara fishing is keeping all the line except the tippet off the water. When I try to do this, the line “sags” back towards me and pulls the fly too quickly through the water… I’m not sure if this makes sense?
I can’t seem to get a good drift unless I have alot of line on the water, which isn’t what I want..
Thank you very much!
As I understand, Tenkara in Japan is fishing streams for trout. Here in the USA not everyone has access to trout. We use Tenkara for Bass, Bluegills, and other warm water fish in streams and lakes. Do people use Tenkara in Japan to fish for these warmwater fish? Do they use Tenkara for just streams or do they also fish lakes with tenkara?
What’s the most simple way to fish with Tenkara? Which rod? Which kind of line? How much tippet? What kind/s of fly/flies?
Thank you,
He is undoubtably the master of the cast, and possibly the best in the world. I’ve never seen anyone do what he can with size 2 and 3 lines at that length.
Yet most videos of him casting are at distance and poor quality. The best so far is the TUSA HD video, but not long or detailed enough by far.
Has he ever thought of expanding the range of instructional videos on his perfect casting style? Are there vimeo or equiv HD videos available else where?
Perhaps ask him what was his most memorable battle with a fish on a Tenkara rod??
Please describe the difference between the Oni tenkara rods and rods from other manufacturers.
Thanks everyone. I’m no longer accepting questions for this as I’ve already sent them. I couldn’t get everyones’ questions because I had a few of my own and didn’t want to burden Tenkara no Oni with a million questions. So I took most of yours and added a couple of my own. It might take a while because everything will have to be translated but I will post his responses as soon as I get them.
what length line do i use for tenkara fishing.