{"id":779,"date":"2026-05-15T17:03:17","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T17:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tenkara.ca\/maitres-2\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T19:57:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T19:57:32","slug":"masters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tenkara.ca\/en\/masters\/","title":{"rendered":"Masters and ambassadors"},"content":{"rendered":"

MASTERS \u00b7 \u5e2b\u7bc4 \u00b7 SHIHAN<\/p>

Masters.<\/h1>

tenkara is not just a technique: it’s a transmission. From Japanese masters to Quebec ambassadors, this page brings together those who keep this art alive in Quebec and Japan. Click on each profile to discover their journey, their philosophy and their resources.<\/p><\/div>

TRANSMISSION \u00b7 \u4f1d\u627f \u00b7 DENSHO<\/p>

The voices of the masters.<\/h2>

Sebata, Ishigaki, Saigo in Japan. Daniele Beaulieu in Quebec. Each has shaped a unique approach. Swipe the carousel to discover their philosophies.<\/p>

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D \u00b7 B<\/div>\n
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QUEBEC AMBASSADOR<\/div>\n

Dani\u00e8le Beaulieu<\/h3>\n
Tenkara Ninja<\/div>\n

A tenkara pioneer in Quebec, Dani\u00e8le Beaulieu has practised the discipline since 2014. Founder of Tenkara Canada \/ Tenkara Qu\u00e9bec, she has made it her mission to share the art of fishing with a single rod, a single line and a single fly across the province. She took part in the first fly-fishing competition in eastern Quebec on the Montmorency River in 2017.<\/p>\n

\u00ab Tenkara is simple: one rod, one line, one fly. And the whole river as your playground. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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MASTER<\/div>\n

Yuzo Sebata<\/h3>\n
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A legendary tenkara master of the mountains of northern Japan, Yuzo Sebata is known for his pure keiryu approach \u2014 mountain streams, traditional kebari and long solitary walks. He roamed the Japanese valleys for 50 years to document regional techniques. His style influences generations of anglers around the world.<\/p>\n

\u00ab Learn from the river. It is more patient than any master. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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DR \u00b7 MASTER<\/div>\n

Dr. Hisao Ishigaki<\/h3>\n
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A university professor and expert in aquatic biology, Dr. Ishigaki is a world-renowned tenkara master who preaches extreme simplicity: a single kebari for every situation. He theorized the sakasa presentation and brought tenkara to an international audience through his English-language talks. A key author and the main mentor of Daniel Galhardo.<\/p>\n

\u00ab Perfect technique does not exist. But conscious technique does. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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MASTER<\/div>\n

Masami Sakakibara<\/h3>\n
Tenkara no Oni<\/div>\n

Nicknamed "the demon of tenkara" (Tenkara no Oni) for his precision and intensity, Masami Sakakibara is one of the most respected practitioners in Japan. Known for the finesse of his level lines and his ultra-precise style. His "Oni" rod series is considered among the best in the world.<\/p>\n

\u00ab The rod is the extension of your attention. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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MASTER<\/div>\n

Katsutoshi Amano<\/h3>\n
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Instrumental in popularizing tenkara in Japan from the late 1970s, when the country rediscovered its traditions. He taught modern generations the ancient techniques of the Japanese mountains. Often cited as one of the three great contemporary tenkara masters alongside Ishigaki and Sebata.<\/p>\n

\u00ab Simplicity is not the starting point. It is the destination. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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MASTER<\/div>\n

Kazumi Saigo<\/h3>\n
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A contemporary tenkara master of the minimalist school: a single kebari pattern for an entire life. He practises fishing as meditation. Very few public images by philosophical choice. He teaches the Edo-tenkara tradition and has trained many anglers in Japan and abroad.<\/p>\n

\u00ab The fish is not the goal. The fish is the occasion. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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D \u00b7 G<\/div>\n
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FOUNDER \u00b7 USA<\/div>\n

Daniel W. Galhardo<\/h3>\n
D \u00b7 G<\/div>\n

The first person to introduce tenkara outside Japan. Founder of Tenkara USA in 2009 in San Francisco (moved to Boulder in 2012). Trained directly by Hisao Ishigaki, Yuzo Sebata, Masami Sakakibara and Katsutoshi Amano. Author of "Tenkara \u2014 The Book" (2017), an essential English-language reference. He organized the first Tenkara Summits in North America.<\/p>\n

\u00ab Tenkara is an invitation to do less, but to be more. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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P \u00b7 G<\/div>\n
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CO-FOUNDER \u00b7 UK<\/div>\n

Dr. Paul Gaskell<\/h3>\n
P \u00b7 G<\/div>\n

A doctor of freshwater biology, co-founder of Discover Tenkara with John Pearson. Six annual trips to Japan to study with the best tenkara masters. Co-author of "Tenkara Sasoi: Fly Manipulation Techniques". The first Tenkara USA certified tenkara guide in the United Kingdom. Co-presents the video series "Tenkara in Focus".<\/p>\n

\u00ab The more you minimize gear, the more technique matters. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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J \u00b7 P<\/div>\n
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CO-FOUNDER \u00b7 UK<\/div>\n

John Pearson<\/h3>\n
J \u00b7 P<\/div>\n

A field biologist and photographer, co-founder of Discover Tenkara. He has contributed as a photographer and author to fishing publications in the UK, USA and Japan. Producer of 15 fly-fishing DVDs, including 4 on tenkara. Director of the video series "Tenkara in Focus" and "Fishing Discoveries". The first Tenkara USA certified tenkara guide in the UK with Paul Gaskell.<\/p>\n

\u00ab Being curious matters more than being good. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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MASTER \u00b7 ITALY<\/div>\n

Mauro Mazzo<\/h3>\n
M \u00b7 M<\/div>\n

One of the leading promoters of tenkara in Italy and Europe. Co-author of the book "Simple Fly Fishing \u2014 Techniques for Tenkara and Rod & Reel" with Yvon Chouinard (founder of Patagonia) and Craig Matthews. He teaches tenkara in the Italian Alps and explores the links between Italian traditions (Valsesian pesca a mosca) and Japanese tenkara.<\/p>\n

\u00ab Simplicity, authenticity, reduction. Tenkara is our common language with the Valsesiana. \u00bb<\/blockquote>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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