SOLD - 2x Japanese Vintage Sakurai & Co. "Mermaid" Split Cane Fishing Rods, Box, Tackle

2x Japanese Vintage Sakurai & Co. "Mermaid" Split Cane Fishing Rods, Box, Tackle

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Description

An avid angler in his boyhood, Shintarou Sakurai was just 12 years old when he became fascinated by the history and manufacture of the traditional split cane fishing rods known in Japan as Wa-zao. The very best Wa-zao were made by Master Saoji; young Shintarou, being an ambitious lad, decided that he would attempt to replicate one of the Master's rods.

He must have done a pretty good job of it because, in 1888, he was able to open a shop next to the Edo-gawa (Edo river) in the Kantō region, where he sold both the tackle he manufactured and acted as an agent for Master Saoji. Kantō is known throughout Japan for the excellent quality of the bamboo that grows there - exceptionally fine and strong, it's highly suited to a variety of purposes especially when it needs to be both strong and light; Sakurai made sure he used only the very best and, before too long, his rods were reputed to be as good as those made by Saoji.

After the Second World War American servicemen waiting to be shipped home bought fishing rods and started exploring Japan's rivers, and they very soon discovered how good Sakurai's rods were, too, so they took them home with them. Impressed by the rods' quality, durability and responsiveness, other anglers asked where they could buy them - and so Sakurai began exporting, growing into an international angling business empire which is still in operation today.

There are two rods here, one an extremely nice 6-foot (182cm) bait caster and the other a more worn combination rod which, four sections, can be set up as either a 5½-foot Western-style fly rod or a 7⅔-foot spinning rod. Both are split cane, in the traditional hexagonal shape; the bait rod has a carved wooden handle, the combination rod has a cork handle. Both have Sakurai's mermaid logo transfer and their yellow and black binding.

One of them (we can't be sure which, but my guess is it's the combination rod) retains its original wooden box, though this is in very poor condition - however, there's enough there to be easily restored, and it contains the assortment of vintage tackle seen in the photos. Please note also that the combination rod has lost some of its varnish, and one of the two tip sections is splintered (this too can be repaired); the metalwork is tarnished in both cases, but all firmly attached to the bamboo. We have taken this damage into account when setting a very low starting price.

Due to the nature of this item it is not always possible for us to identify any missing parts.
For this reason we ask that you please check the pictures carefully, as these show everything that is included.

Further Details & Enquiries

This item has been very kindly donated to the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Our ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. Our aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

100% of the money raised from this sale will go to the charity.

Our sales team do their best to check each item and ensure that the description and pictures provided are as accurate as possible.

Feedback is extremely important to the charity so if you are not fully satisfied with your purchase please give us a chance to resolve any issues by contacting us prior to leaving feedback.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us via eBay messages, we will make sure that your message is responded to promptly, usually within three working days. Messages sent over the weekend will be responded to on the next working day.

If this item is not quite what you were looking for but you would still like to help our cause, please consider providing us with a donation which can be done via our eBay Charity Profile linked below.

Donate via Arthur Rank Hospice Charity Profile

Payment

We only accept payments made through one of eBay's many approved methods. Please make sure to complete your payment within 96 hours of winning an item. Once your payment has been received we will dispatch your item as soon as possible, usually within two working days.

Delivery

Delivery times are calculated in working days (Monday to Friday). If your order is placed after 1pm, the next working day will be considered the first working day for delivery. In case of bank holidays and during the Christmas period where delays are more likely, please allow an extra few days for delivery.

Domestic Delivery

We aim to dispatch orders within two working days. If for any reason there is an unexpected delay in dispatching your order we will make sure to inform you of this as soon as possible.

We use Evri to deliver the majority of our parcels. If you would like to specify a preferred neighbour, or safe place for the parcel to be left, please leave the details in a message when placing your order.

Some low-value items will be sent by Royal Mail 2nd Class. Some items of higher value are sent by Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery, which require a signature. If you are not present at the time of delivery, a card will be left instructing you to arrange a redelivery, or to collect your order from the local sorting office.

International Delivery

International orders are handled by eBay's Global Shipping Programme.

For full details please see the following eBay help page: Buying internationally with the Global Shipping Programme.

Collection

Items can be collected from our Retail Hub at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, Eastern Counties Leather Industrial Estate, Pampisford, CB22 3EE during our opening hours of 10:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Saturday. If you would like to collect your item please contact us in advance to arrange this.

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Returns

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity uses the eBay Returns system to make the process as easy for you as possible. For full details about the process, and for information on how to begin a return, please see the following eBay help page: Return an item for a refund.

Change of Mind

If when you receive your order you are not completely satisfied, you may return the items to us within 30 days for a refund. Returns will be processed within three working days once the goods have been received by us.

Items must be returned to us in the same condition as they were received by you. This includes, but is not limited to: original packaging, original boxes, packaging materials, manuals, blank warranty cards, accessories and documents. We reserve the right to refuse a return or deduct an amount for lost value where the item is returned in a different condition.

We strongly recommend that you fully insure your package that you are returning, as well as using a carrier that can provide you with tracking information or proof of delivery.

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will not be held responsible for returns lost or damaged in transit.

Please be aware that it is the responsibility of the customer to cover any delivery charges for returning an unwanted item.

Incorrect/Damaged Goods

We try very hard to ensure that you receive your order in pristine condition. In the unlikely event that your order arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us via eBay immediately, this will be given special priority and you can expect to receive a response within 48 hours, Monday to Friday. Arthur Rank Hospice Charity will cover the cost of domestic return postage for any incorrect or damaged items, subject to the cost of the chosen return method being reasonable. Please contact us before proceeding if unsure.

About Arthur Rank Hospice Charity

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity supports people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting condition and those who need end-of-life care. Its ‘Outstanding’ services are provided free of charge to patients and their families. The aim is to provide the highest quality care, helping them to make every moment count.

Around 4,000 patients are cared for each year at the Hospice in Cambridge, the Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre in Wisbech and in patients’ own homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. This care supports people to improve their quality of life and fulfil their end of their life choices.

Alongside the care provided by the Inpatient Unit, Living Well services and Hospice at Home teams, patients can access: patient and family support; lymphoedema care; complementary therapy; medical and pain outpatient clinics; and advice from the clinical nurse specialists within the Specialist Palliative Care Home Team. Programmes are practical, holistic and tailored to the individual patient, family member or carer and may also include rehabilitative support, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychological support.

It will cost £10.5 million in 2021/2022 to run services, which are provided free of charge to patients and their loved ones. Contracted services from the NHS are budgeted at £6.98 million, meaning that £3.52 million needs to be raised through donations, fundraising activities and trading. The Charity is extremely grateful to the local community for the continual dedication, commitment and generosity they show in supporting towards meeting this target.

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