DAIWA Karehoushi 18・N

The original Karehoushi, a heralded traditional Japanese fishing rod, first made its appearance in 1986—36 years ago. It was born from a daring attempt to recreate the fishing experience of traditional Japanese bamboo rods using carbon materials. Since then, the Karehoushi has evolved through six generations, maintaining its commitment to a traditional medium-hard true action. Over the years, crucian carp fishing has undergone various changes, and the performance demands on fishing rods have also shifted.

However, no matter the era, the essence of Karehoushi remains unaltered: its commitment to true action. The seventh generation is no exception; it continues to follow this singular path. What Karehoushi has consistently focused on is the beauty of its bend. Since the first generation, it has pursued the natural curve produced by traditional bamboo rods—a defining characteristic that cannot be separated from the Karehoushi's identity.

From the strike to the catch, the graceful arc transforms like the dance of a ballet dancer, brimming with life and resembling a painting in every moment captured. Gazing upon this curve, no crucian carp angler can help but be enchanted. The movement felt through the grip in one's palm is exceedingly pleasant. By theoretically incorporating the crafting techniques of traditional bamboo rods, the beauty of the bend has been further refined. The principle is that the focal point of the bend moves with the fish, creating natural curves.

This beauty of the bend not only enhances the aesthetic but also contributes to a feeling of strength during actual fishing. Strangely, the crucian carp seem to respond more honestly to rods that bend naturally. Perhaps, crucian carp recognize and appreciate the beauty of a well-bent rod.

18・21尺

Seeking real fishing performance, standards have been changed.

The seventh generation of the Karehoushi long rods has transcended the uniformity of specifications typical of previous series by pursuing genuine fishing performance. As a result, the standard for joint taper design has been completely revamped, incorporating elements from the latest lightweight hera rods to achieve unprecedented operability. This generation of Karehoushi rods does not merely follow the same path just because of its brand identity; instead, it specifically aims for usability in its longer rods.

The grip design features a straight shape at the rod end to allow a firm grip, while the balance between the suppleness of the 0.8mm tip and the robustness of the base rod delivers a distinctly Karehoushi fishing experience. Unlike other items in the seventh generation, these long rods have been intentionally made thicker than their predecessors to draw large arcs, providing a fishing feel reminiscent of traditional Japanese rods while balancing usability. This represents a new proposal from Karehoushi, marrying nostalgia with modern functionality.