Going Japanese....I really think so.

I have been doing a bit of work on some Tenkara stuff lately and felt that a bit of bamboo was in order.  I have never really delved into the Japanese styles much so this was a good challenge for me.  With bamboo being a central part of the eastern culture and art, I thought Id take a stab at it.

This small watercolor is only 3in by 2in and since it was a study just quickly tossed onto the paper, it retains that rough water stained appearance that one can only get from watercolor.  For thjis work, mostly done allowing the paint pigments to flow with the water, I did very little over painting and detailing in order to retain that watery feel.  The Japanese lettering is...well..... No, I am not going to tell you.  Just take a guess what they mean or have your Japanese friend tell you.
I am working on a few more pieces like this and I might share them in the future but for right now all you get is this small piece simply titled 'Bamboo #1'.  I think it looks good in an over-sized frame.

And finally for those Tenkara freaks like me out there I have got the  Sakasa Gujo Kebari.  A great little fly that is so versatile and simple, it can trace its origins back centuries.  If it wasn't for the forward hackle construction and unique material used in this fly so typical in the Tenkara style, a fly like this might have done very well during the golden age of American or British fly fishing.