Yamano Bamboo Fishing Rods (Wazao)
The “Wazao” is a traditional Japanese fishing rod made of natural materials. Crafted by master artisan YAMANO Masayuki (山野 正幸), its origins are in the “Kawaguchi Wazao”, which emerged over 200 years ago in the vicinity of Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture. Attracting anglers from all over the world, YAMANO’s exceptional craftsmanship gives the Wazao perfect functionality, convenience, and beauty.
1.Sectional rod for catching Yamame, a natural habitat river salmon native to Japan.
2.YAMANO Masayuki (山野 正幸) with his seasoning bamboo poles.
With its slightly gnarled form, it is evident that the fishing rod is made of bamboo. Lustrously lacquered, it exudes a glossy amber hue which shimmers elegantly with every change in angle. The grip has a pleasantly rounded shape. Swinging it, each beautifully crafted piece draws gentle curves. Crafted by YAMANO Masayuki, the second generation “Saoshōsaku (竿昭作)” master, these are the traditional features of the “Kawaguchi Wazao”.
There is a Kawaguchi Wazao fishing rod for most if not all fishing spots, including oceans, rivers, mountain streams, lakes and marshes. Currently, demand is increasing for tenkara rods, which are also popular overseas. Established in Japan, tenkara is a simple style of mountain stream fishing, where fish are caught using only a rod, line, and artificial fly. (The line is attached to the top of the rod, without the use of a reel.)
With the passage of time, the Wazao, which was originally made of a single bamboo cane (延べ竿 nobezao), has been improved to be easily portable and is now available as a sectional fishing rod (継ぎ竿 tsugizao). This improvement has enabled the production of rods of various sizes.
For example, Ayu rods can be as long as 10 meters! They are specifically designed for the characteristics of the Ayu (sweetfish), which inhabit various waterways. On the other hand, the rod used for Tanago fishing (a native Japanese species found in lakes and marshes), where the challenge is to see how many of the small fish can fit on one’s palm, is only about 30 cm long. There is a tale from the Edo period (1603-1867) of a lord sneaking out to go fishing with a compact Tanago rod stored in a small box tucked discreetly in the folds of his kimono. These rods are surprisingly lightweight and remarkably delicate and beautiful.
1. Close-up of a tenkara rod. Unlike in fly fishing, a reel is not used. It is a traditional Japanese fishing rod where the line is tied to the tip and an artificial fly is used. 2.A sectional Tanago fishing rod in a small paulownia wood box (about the size of three business cards). 3.Crafted specifically for each type of fish, traditional Japanese fishing rods on display in the store.
Notable not only for its beauty, but also its functionality, the Kawaguchi Wazao is intricately designed for leisure and hobby fishing, a tradition that dates back to the Edo period. While the delicate vibrations of fish bites are transmitted through the vertically running bamboo fibre, the flexibility of the bamboo exerts a repulsive force, which restrains the struggles of the hooked fish. Furthermore, sectional rods allow for the replacement of damaged parts, ensuring longevity with proper maintenance.
While the primary materials of Wazao are bamboo, lacquer, and silk thread, the production process which involves over 100 steps, is surprisingly extensive. High-quality bamboo is harvested and left for several years to thoroughly season. Subsequent processes include:
Selecting and cutting the bamboo (kiri-kumi 切り組み),
Heating it using charcoal to correct curving (hi-ire 火入れ),
Reinforcing joints with silk thread wrapping (ito-maki 糸巻き),
Adjusting joints with files, etc. (tsugi 継ぎ),
Applying urushi lacquer for waterproofing, fire-resistance, and decoration (urushi-nuri 漆塗り).
Using these processes and many more, it take 2 to 3 months to complete a single Wazao.
According to YAMANO, the most crucial step is the “kiri-kumi” process, where bamboo parts are matched to create balance in terms of flexibility, strength, and weight. He says:
“When making this rod, bamboo selection is of critical importance. It is not constructed from a single bamboo cane; each section uses a different piece of bamboo. I bend each piece to check its flexibility. The ‘hi-ire’ heat treatment also requires careful attention.”
Dressed in samue, traditional working attire with origins in the workwear of Zen Buddhist monks, YAMANO speaks with a gentle tone. Despite his calm demeanour, he acknowledges that the journey to this point has been anything but easy.
In the Rapid Currents of Modernisation, Perseverance, Determination and Inherited Craftsmanship
Located just 40 minutes north by train from the centre of Tokyo, “Saoshōsaku” has its shop and atelier in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture. While Kawaguchi City is now a commuter town with a population of 600,000, before the oil shock of the 1970s it was a prosperous industrial city known for its metal casting.
One reason for the city’s development as a manufacturing hub was its favourable location, facilitating the shipping of the thriving industries’ products to the metropolitan city of Edo (modern-day Tokyo).
Along with overland routes, the Shiba River, which flows through Kawaguchi, joins the Arakawa River, and continues onto Tokyo Bay, became industrial highways during the Edo period.
In the 1780s, the production of Kawaguchi Wazao began. The high-quality Hotei bamboo wildly grown in the Shiba River basin matures and becomes a suitable material in about a year. Fishing rod making became a popular side business for farmers, and Kawaguchi Wazao gained popularity. At its peak, it is said that 200 to 300 artisans competed to showcase their skills.
However, with the onset of rapid economic growth (1954-1973), the Wazao industry changed dramatically. Chemical products replaced bamboo-made daily necessities. Instead of traditional Wazao, fibreglass and later carbon fibre rods began to dominate the market.
“My father (the first generation of Saoshōsaku, YAMANO Kazuo (山野 一男)) said to me, ‘First, go to college and work in a different field. Even if you come back to this craft, it’s good to have seen the outside world’.”
After graduating from university, YAMANO joined an IT company and worked as a systems engineer.
“When I was transferred to Shikoku, I took the Wazao my father made and went fishing often. Many young people saw a Wazao up close for the first time, and I let everyone use it.”
At the age of 30, he decided to leave his stable job to become a fishing rod master craftsman. Initially, there were around 20 craftsmen making Kawaguchi Wazao, but now YAMANO is the only one for whom it is a primary occupation. What this signifies is not hard to imagine. Nevertheless, YAMANO unequivocally states, without hesitation, that he has “no regrets” about choosing the path of a rod craftsman.
Inheriting Wazao as “Culture”
Despite being extremely busy producing and repairing Wazao, YAMANO holds workshops on how to make bamboo fishing rods. If a fishing spot is nearby, workshop participants fish with their simple self-made rods, and cook and eat their catch.
While the primary targets are elementary and middle school students, the workshops also attract tourists from countries like the USA and Australia, making it a long running programme in its 15th year.
“By spreading awareness of Wazao, its culture will remain rather than being just an industry, similar to pottery,” says YAMANO.
As the aging workforce poses a threat to traditional crafts with few successors, YAMANO’s determination to continue improving as a craftsman and perpetuate the culture of Wazao is nothing short of remarkable.
With unwavering dedication and solid craftsmanship, YAMANO continues to meticulously craft Kawaguchi Wazao day after day.
1.YAMANO Masayuki. 2.The shop and atelier of Saoshōsaku. 3.Displayed Wazao stretching forward. 4.Various bamboo fishing rod designs.
Currently, YAMANO is also engaged in producing a brand called “Yamano (山の)” for the overseas market. Among others, products include tenkara rods, lure rods, and Tanago rods.
LINKS:
YAMANO BAMBOO RODS
https://yamanobamboo.jp/
TENKARA-YA
You can purchase “Yamano” Wazao rods here. Their staff, fluent in English, will assist you.
https://www.tenkaraya.com/
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