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Handcraft Exhibition Tokyo
Handcraft Exhibition Tokyo
16/02/2024
Handcraft Exhibition held by Fly Shop Tsuruya
The Handcraft Exhibition has been held in Tokyo by Fly Shop Tsuruya annually since 1990, gathering all types of hand crafters in fly fishing field in Japan. Ever since I started making cane rod, I have always dreamed of participating in this event. After years of hard work, I finally reached this goal of my rod-making career in the 34th handcraft exhibition in 2024.
I brought all my MYS 865 in stock to the exhibition and made some splitcane ball-pens for the event. Mark Yuhina was there for help as well. I appreciate very much for his support. Although he doesn't speak Japanese at all, we had lots of fun during this trip.
On the first day of our Tokyo trip, we visited the prestigious wazao shop "東作本店 Tousaku Honten", a Japanese bamboo rod shop with 230 years of history. Before making split cane rod, I spent most of my time learning whole cane rod making. And Tousaku Honten, a shop with generations of whole cane rod makers, is Top 3 on my list.
Tousaku Honten
Mr.Matsumoto assembling tenkara blank for us
Mark, Matsumoto and me.
The gentleman in the middle of picture was the 7th generation of Tousaku rod maker, Mr. Matsumoto. He showed us some tenkara rod blanks made of bamboo named “Hotei Chiku,” made by his son. The Blanks were around 9ft long, probably 3-4wt, weight around 3 oz. Almost in a fast action, very impressive, this kind of bamboo also exists in Tawian. I’d love to make them a fly rod someday.
Mr.Takemoto and Mark
I was impressed by the machining only process of Takemoto Rod.
As we stepped into the exhibition on the first day, Masaki Takemoto, who invented the unique technique of the T stucture hollow system, came to us and helped us getting into the situation of the exhibition. After we set up our booth, Mr. Takemoto instantly started taking a look at my ferrule design and showed highly interested in it and asked me how i made them. During this 3 days of the show we share a lot about rod-making and fishing with each other, he also explained how he made his hollow system to me, which was very impressive. At last, he suggested me to attend in the Catskill gathering and present my ferrule design. He was such a kind person and have a great passion in bamboo rod making. I’ve learnt a lot from him, so much respect and appreciation. I hope we’ll meet again soon.
Casting each other’s rod with Takemoto and his friend Atsushi Smilly.