Just looked at Hiro Tanaka's new photos on your photo page and I think I'll just give up decorative thread wrapping now. Surely this guy is the world's best thread artist. Either way I'm too depressed to bother with any more thread wraps. Just when I thought I was getting good I had to see this. You sure know how to ruin a guys' day.

There are a lot of really good thread artists out and around. Hiro and Jim Upton are likely among the very best. Jim will be at the National Rod Builder's Show this coming February and there is some possibility that Hiro may attend as well. Instead of giving up (I assume you're kidding) you might want to come out and hit them with any questions you have or learn some things that will help you develop your own style of thread work.



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you aint a kiddin very beatiful work mr.Hiro full body dragons and guide wraps are sweet complimented with a good coat of epoxy very nice.

Hehe Ken! :D You are hilarious! LOL ;) Hiro's art is stunning and I actually find it pretty motivating too see such excellent work.

When Tiger Woods looks at Jack Nicklaus's records he can either be inspired or depressed knowing that he still has a heck of a long way to go. If I were you I would be inspired knowing that if Hiro can do it, so can you! Nobody gets that good overnight. It is all a learning process.

It's sad when peopel are overwhelmed to teh point they won't even try. Hiro is very forthcoming with information on how he weaves, as is Jim Upton, Doc Ski - and I'm sure 75% of the other guys who weave. If you put the time in, you will be able to do stuff like they do, there is no God given talen tot tangle threads around a fishing blank, it's 100% practice, drive, and a compulsion to take it to teh next level.

It's like anything else..you get out of it what you put into it...I think I'll have another beer.

This is exactly why I do not feel Rating photos on teh board makes any sense whatsoever. I never see anyone give an honest rating, all I see are 10's. I personally refuse to rate any photo, because people will HATE me for being honest. But if you look around the site, and look at some of the stuff which was rated as a 10, then look at the work which is obviously a 10 (specifically Hiro's, Jim's Baby Dragon, Eden's rods, Doc's stuff, Mike Joyce & etc's), you'll understand where I'm coming from.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/2005 11:01AM by Billy Vivona.

I wish the rating scale wasn't even up there - it's sort of silly when you come down to it. But it's part of the software package and can't be turned off. I seriously doubt many people are worrying over how they rate the photos nor are they really "keeping score." They just hit the "10" when something really catches their eye.

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Hiro Tanaka's work is truly art -- many other pic's posted on the board reflect less imagination and skill to varying degrees, but are most likely just as satisfying to the builder. In addition to rodbuilding, where I am a relatively new-comer, I play volleyball, and have for many years. Do I play as well as Karch and all the folks in his world? Absolutely not. Will I ever get to that level? Ditto! But that doesn't mean I don't get enjoyment out of watching someone at that level play, and it most certainly doesn't mean I will give up my game!!

Having pic's of work like Tanaka's can be looked at more than one way: inspiration for those who aspire, or simply beauty for those who like to behold. Reading the posts on this board shows all who participate to fall everywhere within and between these "camps" -- from those who want a rod that fishes well and hang the looks, to those who are concerned with every little aspect of the rod, weight, alignment, looks, etc. (color me somewhere inbetween, which is likely where I'll stay, just like volleyball). Regardless of your taste or mine, this is a fantastic board and a fantastic hobby because of the diversity -- on it, I can rub shoulders with the best!

Bilgee

When I first saw Hiro Tanakas photos on the other board a couple years ago...I was floored. I also saw Mark Crouses work and others. At the time, their work and all the other great thread artists photos got me "very enthusiastic" about thread art again. I posted a pic of a rather lame St Johns cross and some guy named Billy 40 bashed me for improper packing, but gave a tip on how to make it better....I'm glad I learned how to turn on a computor a couple years ago.

All the great weave pics?...just make me want to learn to weave (without gaps).

Trully Hiro is a great Master and what he does with thread is Magic.

I think he posts pictures to inspire everyone to do that which seems impossible. He, like most true Masters really get their kudos from others trying to duplicate and eventually surpass their feats. It would dismay him to think by showing such intricate and exceptional work made others give up or not show their work. He openly thanks those who have helped him and gave him a goal to shoot for and Jim Upton is right at the top of that list. I met him and spent the day with him and Jim U. a couple years back and I can tell you than man is the definition of Humility. It is surprising what can be communicated with hand movement and head knodding, since my Japanese tops out with Good Morning, Good Evening and Good night.

Billy V. is right. It takes desire, drive and practice to do beautiful work. No one can instantly produce flawless work. It is a lot like growing up. One step at a time and just try to improve a little at a time then one day Whamo, you have a piece of art. Giving up doesnt cut it in anything. This kind of work should just fire you up to do more.

Harv, I will join you in that beer.

From the photos I've seen I would also put Doc in that same company. I often wonder who else is doing this fantastic work out there but maybe doesn't take any photos of it or doesn't visit the internet sites.

It comes to mind that Wayne Fowlkes up in VA way is pretty good too. I believe Gudebrod uses his wraps on their catalog covers and have for many years now.

From the photos I've seen I would also put Doc in that same company. I often wonder who else is doing this fantastic work out there but maybe doesn't take any photos of it or doesn't visit the internet sites.

It comes to mind that Wayne Fowlkes up in VA way is pretty good too. I believe Gudebrod uses his wraps on their catalog covers and have for many years now.

Doc is correct in that the pictures are put up on this site to inspire others to reach a higher level. Never to intimidate.

There are many really excellent Artists and Craftsmen in the rod building arena and many may not have the time nor inclination to display their work.

Mark Crouse is to me a truly talented rod builder as are Hiro and Doc. Each have a little different approach and area of talent that make them unique and stand above the rest of us on their home field but each I am sure recognize, appreciate and learn from the talent of the others. Each of them, as well as I, certainly wouldn't want anyone to give up trying because of a picture posted to this site or any other venue. None of us have the time to try everything so the more of us out trying to push the envelope in whatever area you have an interest in can be a real inspiration to the rest of us. Just look at the mess Putter has caused in a lot of rod builders shops.

My point here is, work at the area of your passion, be patient, let your talent develope and we will all be the better for it.