Tanago, or Bitterling in English (scientific name: Acheilognathus
melanogaster), is a small fish that uses a tiny fishing rod.
During the Edo era, Tanago fishing was regarded as the popular hobby for people in the high social position, lords or well off merchant, etc.
Those people in high status, seems to had spent their wealth for the expensive fishing gears and established a kind of ‘micro fishing gear culture by creating the 'proper manner' for Tanago fishing.
The shortest rod shown in the pictures was so small, may be 10 cm for the each connnecting shaft.
This is another good example of the ‘Kawaii’ , the Japanese value that
loves small items.
Tsuri Bunka
Siryo-kan, Shinjyuku Tokyo
この写真で一番短い釣り竿の連結式のシャフトは、10センチくらい短いものです。
これも日本の「カワイイ」文化の良い例なのかもしれませんね。
釣り文化資料館、東京都新宿区