A rod review that’s been a long time coming…
I bought my first Oni rod back in 2013. Back then, the rod was different than it is now. The rod taper/action was the same, but handles were small batch handmade by Sakakibara-san himself and the rod was heavier than it is now. Oh and also, there was only one Oni rod model available, the Sakakibara Special.
But it wasn’t too long after that, that other Oni rods became available and the designations of Type-I, II, and III were introduced. In 2014 I bought a Type-II and Type-III rod, but while I did a formal review on the Type-III, I never did one on the Type-II. So, I think it’s about time that I record my thoughts on the Oni Type-II Tenkara Rod.
Description
Similar in appearance to its brother, the famous Type-I, the Type-II has a dark charcoal colored unsanded blank with a glossy finish. Like all Oni rods, there is very little adornment on the rod itself. Just a few fine gold accent rings is all the paint that’s on the rod. The rod has an understated beauty and compared to most tenkara rods, this understatement stands out. Its simplicity is classy.
When comparing the rod to the Type-I it should be noted that the tip sections are a little thicker. This makes the Type-II more robust in its design and capabilities, and a little more forgiving when casting. For those who own a Type-III, the Type-II and Type-III use the same rod sections, and therefore, the sections are interchangeable.
The handle is black EVA foam and has the classic double hump or hyotan gourd shape so common in the tenkara world. It is 30 cm long and has a positive grip and texture. The winding check is dark red anodized metal.
The tip plug is black plastic and fits snugly into the rod. The butt cap is gold anodized metal. It has a knurled edge and coin slot to aid in removal. It also has a small decompression hole.
The lillian is dark red. It is attached to the T1 (tip) section with a perfect glue joint. The T1 section can be removed through the T2 section, allowing the rod to be completely disassembled for cleaning and drying.
Measurements
| Characteristic | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Sections | 8 |
| Extended | 397 cm (13 ft. 0.3 in.) |
| Nested (w/ tip plug) | 63 cm (24.8 in.) |
| Weight (w/o tip plug) | 74.7 g (2.6 oz.) |
| Handle | 30 cm (11.8 in.) |
| CCS | 14 pennies |
| RFI | 3.5 |
| Rotational Moment (tip heaviness) | 5.1 |
Performance
We can readily see from the 10 Penny Bend Profile that the Type-II is a softer or “slower” rod than the Type-I. The Type-II starts to bend further down the rod, and yet, it has a slightly stiffer T1 section. This design allows the Type-II to engage the line quicker on hook sets, but it has a little less “power” in the butt sections. The stiffer lower sections are what give the Type-I an RFI of 3.9 while the Type-II is a little slower at 3.5.
When compared to the Suntech Tenkarakyo 40F (another rod designed for traditional Japanese-style tenkara*), the Type-II has a similar lower section profile, but softer T1-3 sections. So, these two rods cast similarly in the lower rod sections, but the 40F feels stiffer in the tip (which it is).
The Type-II is a smooth casting rod. It controls the line perfectly through the entire casting arc, but it feels just a little “slower” than the Type-I. I used my usual #3 fluorocarbon level line equal to the length of the rod and it casts beautifully. As far as casting, the word that comes to mind is effortless. Like all Oni rods, the Type-II is effortless.
Given the light weight of the Type-II, you can cast it all day without any arm fatigue. Also, its swing weight and rotational moment are crazy low, with the rotational moment coming in at 5.1! Again, the rotational moment is a numerical estimation of tip heaviness. Anything less than 7 is good. Less than 6 is amazing. And 5.1, well that’s just off the charts phenomenal! I don’t know what kind of witchcraft or magic Oni puts onto his rods, but no other 4 meter tenkara rods come close to their balance and lack of tip heaviness. Like its brother, the Type-I, the Type-II is a joy to cast!
Fishing the rod is delightful. Smooth casts, good hookups, and full flex fights are what you get with this rod. I didn’t catch anything monstrous (but then again, I normally don’t), but I was in full control of the rainbows I was catching. You can fish this rod all day long without any arm fatigue. In fact, the only muscle fatigue I experienced was in my face — from smiling all day!
Conclusion
The Oni Type-II is close to perfection when it comes to a 4 meter rod designed for Japanese-style tenkara. Its weight, balance, and relaxed casting action make it a joy to use. Its thicker tip sections are forgiving when casting and may allow for larger fish to be targeted. Make no mistake, a steelhead or carp rod this is not. Nor is it meant for bass or other large, powerful fish, but 18 inch rainbows in moderate flowing water would certainly be reasonable (as long as proper technique is used).
The downsides? Well, it’s a Japanese rod, and there are no US distributors. So, you’ve got to purchase the rod directly from the Oni Shop. Because of this, you’ll pay a premium price, and you’ll have to pay import and tariff fees. And yes, you pay the fees, not Oni (no matter what the tariff propaganda says). Also, replacement parts are expensive and less than easily obtained. Like all Oni rods, the Type-II is not a rod for the careless or sloppy tenkara angler (unless you like spending money on expensive parts).
But even with that said, I really like this rod and highly recommend it. If you’ve never cast an Oni rod, you don’t know what you’re missing. If you’ve thought about getting an Oni rod, the Oni Type-II might be the perfect one to start with!
*Japanese-style tenkara focuses on minimalist, traditional, wet-fly (kebari) fishing in high-gradient mountain streams using specialized rods, while American-style tenkara is more versatile and experimental, often adopting broader tactics like fishing varied water types (including lakes) with different fly types, including dry flies and heavier nymphs. Japanese rods typically prioritize superior fit/finish and refined action, while American brands often emphasize rugged durability, multi-length zoom, and easier, more accessible replacement parts. (Gemini 3).
Disclaimer: My opinion regarding this rod is just that, my opinion. Your opinion may differ. Also, your rod may not have the same length, issues, or functionality as my rod. There are variations between rods, even in the same production run. No description can fully tell you how a rod feels or fishes. For this, you must personally hold, cast, and fish the rod then make up your own mind. I purchased the Oni Type-II tenkara rod at full retail price. I have no agreement with Masami Sakakibara or the Oni Shop for a positive review.
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I’ve had my type II for sometime now, but I have to admit that it’s the only Oni rod that I haven’t fished yet. That will be one of the first things I correct this spring! I am most comfortable with the type III and like you, I also experience occasional “long releases” with the type I and I am anxious to see how the type II feels side by side with it’s more popular siblings. Every Oni rod is a joy to fish. They seem to defy physics with their balance and casting effort (or lack thereof). They will be the last rods standing when my fishing life ends.