Due to the pandemic, last years Oni School was cancelled. That was sad, but since I couldn't go anyway it didn't hurt my feelings. But this year's Oni School was able to happen! Unfortunately, Masami Sakakibara couldn't come (due to travel restrictions and family obligations), but ERiK, Rob and John (Tenkara Guides, LLC) stepped up and took on the job of teaching, not just hosting.
It was wonderful to meet up again with Tenkara Guides, LLC, as well as many returning Oni students. I've only missed one Oni School since it was initiated many years ago, and I was pleased to see a couple of my friends who likewise have been to the school many times.
There's one thing about the Oni School that's important to remember. The Oni School is just that, a school. It is not a fishing conclave, guided fishing outing, or a casual tenkara get together. The purpose of the Oni School is to teach Japanese tenkara to those who want to learn about or expand their tenkara skill set. As you would expect, the School aligns it's curriculum with the tenkara philosophy of Masami Sakakibara and his approach to the art of tenkara. John, ERiK and Rob have been students of Oni's for long enough to know his approach and despite Oni not being able to attend, they covered everything (and more, like contact-nymphing) that he would have, had he been there.
Like always, we met each morning at Sundance to coordinate the days activities. We then headed to our on-stream classroom for that day. We practiced casting, discussed rod and line selection for certain situations, had didactic sessions on fish, stream, and insect behaviors, and had one-on-one tutorial sessions with each of the Tenkara Guides. I enjoyed all of the personalized instruction, but the session I enjoyed the most was when our group (4 students) went with Rob and fished. The group stood on a bridge overlooking the river and each person, one at a time, was given five minutes to fish and dissect the river. The group would then critique what the one person did and what they could have done differently. It was very instructive!
Tenkara Guides, LLC provided the food and beverages, and there was plenty of it. The meals were catered and were delicious. One lunch was roast beef, mashed potatoes and green salad. It was excellent!
I really appreciate Tenkara Guides, LLC putting the Oni School on each year. I've not been able to travel to Japan for tenkara instruction, but I feel more confident each year after attending the School that I'm on the right track for perfecting my Japanese tenkara skill set.
If you are passionate about Japanese tenkara, and not just about fishing with a tenkara rod, then you owe it to yourself to attend the Oni School at least once. It's worth the price of admission and it will really elevate your tenkara game! I know it's helped me a lot!
Thank you for the kind words Tom.
ReplyDeleteExactly Tom. It's a school, not a fishing outing. It's kind of like a family outing with cousins you haven't seen in a long time getting together. The "Tenkara Guides" and there instruction was outstanding.
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