Sakura is a rod brand (an old rod shop in Tokyo) that has supported tenkara in Japan since the beginning. A brand that supported the old tenkara experts there. The Kongo is one of the two models of tenkara rods available from Sakura. It’s short when it’s nested, it has more joints (many sections) and has a stiffer, faster flex profile due to it’s design. It’s a expensive rod that has been made better with lighter materials and experience. It’s the newest version of an old design.
The Hane is from the oldest Tenkara company in America, Tenkara USA. A brand that continues to support tenkara anglers here and around the world, new and experienced. The Hane is one of many models that are available. It is a rod that was one of the first offerings from the company and has been upgraded with knowledge and made available for the masses through it’s affordable price. The Hane has a short pack length which by design makes it a faster flex profile.
The Hane and the Kongo are similar in that they are both short nesting tenkara rods. The Hane is relatively affordable where as the Kongo is twice the price of the Hane.
I really like both of these rods but they are very different while they also share obvious common themes.
I’m really proud of Daniel for continuing on with the Hane and developing it. The rod is a wonderful idea.
What ever rod I am using, that’s the “one rod” in my hand, I’m making it work for what ever I’m doing. The profile of it creates a accurate cast. I’ve seen my son catch VERY large fish on it and I’ve caught small trout on it too.
It’s quite a versatile rod.
Michael, I think I helped you get your Kongo in what, 2010? I helped a lot of tenkara anglers outside of Japan, early on in the timeline get a Sakura Kongo (and the Seki Rei) The profile of the Kongo and the Hane is a purposeful design. It’s an old design and it is a Japanese profile.
While I hear a lot of static for “full flexing rods” which I also enjoy, I have a place in my tenkara for this type of rod and it isn’t a small place, it’s a big place, like travel, like always in my bag. It’s an attribute to my fishing, I’ll use the Hane this summer to catch rainbow trout in Kauai. I’ll carry it with me every time I board a plane, it’s in the cabin with me.
The differences are profound. Each rod was designed with tenkara in mind, one in Japan, the other in America. Both rods are unique in that they were designed by people on opposite sides of the globe yet both are designed for the same thing. Both companies have been supporting tenkara anglers since the beginning and the rod configuration is old and has been interpreted by the designers in their own experiences.
I’m proud to be associated with both companies that have created this type of rod of which I am a fan of. It was quite a surprise to me to see this newest version (Tenkara USA) come to market in much more than a limited release and quite affordable too.