Amano-san: Hand-tying his Kebari in the 1980’s

In the 1980’s a (very young-looking!) Dr. Ishigaki made a TV program that compared the tenkara of some established anglers of the day (he even analyses the different casting and “sasoi” or fly-manipulation styles – particularly of Takekabu-san and Amano-san).

The whole program is worth a watch – just be aware that the fish-handling of the 1980’s in Japan (and still today with the predominance of catch and kill in many Japanese rivers) will appear crude next to modern C & R fishing that western anglers are now practising widely.

A few things stand out for me – obviously the quite eccentric-looking casting stroke that Takekabu-san uses to cast his 8-m level line with a relatively short, stiff rod is one. Another is the fascinating tying using a set of forceps (or hemostats if you are American) of Takekabu-san’s wool-bodied “Jun” (regular) hackled kebari (starting at 17min 31 seconds into the video)

Other things to check out are Amano-san’s “under-the-rod-tip” casting stroke and silky-smooth “sasoi” pulses of his “Sakasa” (reverse) hackled kebari (catching some large fish on large “honryu” rivers with a supple cane rod)…and the clip that I’ve cued up below of him tying his kebari that is perfectly suited to his “Sasoi” style of tenkara. The form of his fly perfectly follows on from it’s required function (more of this in future blog posts!!).

For now, check out the young Amano-san tying his flies in his fingers….

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Paul

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