Valerio "Balboa" Santagostino and Hubert (Ubi) "Exuvia" Calligarich pose their questions to Masami Sakakibara (Oni San). The Master Sakakibara was born in 1951 in Shizuoka ( central Japan) near Mount Fuji. He grew up in Morimachi in a very nature-filled environment, surrounded by mountains and streams. He started fishing with his father at the age of 4 and up to the age of 18 he fished only in fresh water. Like all great
fishermen he has experimented with different fishing techniques (including
English-fly) and always oriented towards fresh-water creek fishing.
Balboa: But
what does mean Saint Oni mean?
Ubi: Shisyo,
do you have to take courses or internships to become a "Master" as in
our country? Balboa: In
Japan is there still much to be considered in any way under the figure of the
student teacher? Ubi: And
did you have many students? Ubi: Shisyo,
what exactly is the Oni style? Ubi: Is
it different from traditional
techniques? Balboa: Shisyo,
please explain how you produced the
Sakakibara Special (Oni Rod). Ubi: Shisyo,
how is your approach to the river? Balboa: Shisyo, which fish do you prefer to tackle? Ubi: Shisyo,
what is the largest fish you've ever caught with Tenkara? Ubi: Shisyo,
what do you think of the no-kill idea? Balboa: So
there are no poachers ... Ubi: Shisyo,
but I see that you are struggling to wipe out the use of the barbed hooks. Ubi: Shisyo,
a curiosity I have. I noticed that you pray before you actually start
fishing. Even in Japan I saw you pray in front of the
Spirit of the Eyes statue. Why? Ubi: Monkfish
too ? Balboa: Shisyo,
do you have any other hobbies besides fishing? Balboa: Shisyo,
what message would you give to young people and even the not-so-young who read
Pipamisti? Ubi,
Balboa: Arigatou gozaimashista Shisyo! |