Giant Tohoku Rollers

Giant Tohoku (GT) rollers are so named due to their larger size compared to other rolling pin floats. The standard length of both Tohoku and Hokkaido rollers is approx 6". Of course there are variations of that size however, 6" seems to be the normal length. GT rollers measure 9.5 inches. With all rollers, the length can vary due to the perfection of the glass blower.

Giant Tohokus come from the Tohoku region of northern Japan. They are extremely hard to find in the field. In mainland Japan, most of the old fishing shacks have fallen and been replaced with new ones. In the process, the floats were discarded and have since disappeared. Although roller floats are still used in Hokkaido, they are long gone from the ports in northern Japan.

All of GTs in the pic measure 9.5" in length. They are shown compared with a standard Tohoku roller. All of my specimens are almost pristine in condition with wonderful swirls, a full spindle and 2 of the only 3 known champagne colored GTs.

Torpedo Rollers

A couple months back my digital camera died. Finally have a new one, ready to upload some new posts and keep this blog updated on a more frequent basis.

This post is about the popular Torpedo Roller. These great floats come from the Tohoku region of northern, Japan. They are always found mixed in with normal Tohoku rollers. With the exception of Kanji rollers, it seems to be one of the most favorite styles of rollers. While "fairly common" in float collections in the states, they are extremely difficult to find in Japan. Probably because they are so old and the fishermen who used them and their shacks are long gone.

The picture is my collection of torpedo rollers. The upper right roller is the most common color torpedo found. My favorite is the purple one that I recently aquired in a trade. Thanks Tom!

Conversation with an Ebay Black List Seller

I recently had the opportunity to exchange emails with one of the members of my black list. I thought people might find this interesting. All of the below comments are exact. None have been changed.

From the conversation I'm sure you will see why I made my black list.

On a side note....I welcome all comments good or bad. I will not moderate the comments and change them in any way.

Here goes....
1. My initial message to luckjrio (ebay fake seller):
Not meaning to call you out however....the floats you are selling are Chinese reproductions. Would you please list accordingly? Thanks 2fishin2

luckjrio response:
“They are absolutely not reproductions, they came ashore and were collected by GI's serving in Japan. Most of them are covered with sea life and filthy before I scub them. I am so sick of people who style themselves as some kind of expert and share thier unwelcome opinion based on other peoples listings. Good luck expert. JR “

2. My second message to luckjrio:
JR, First I take GREAT issue saying GIs collected them overseas. I am a retired GI who lives in Japan and has done so for the past 16 years. I know they did not come from Japan as you have said. I have collected floats here in Japan for almost that same amount of years. Am I an expert? No however, I know for fact they are Chinese reproductions. I know this for fact from direct conversations with 2 other people who bought the imported the same floats from China and sold them in the US. Selling reproductions is not a bad thing. Just be upfront in the facts. Wanna know more about my "expert" comments, check out woodysglassfloats.com 2fishin2

luckjrio response:
“First of all you are absolutely full of it. I am also a veteran, thank you very much. This is a fact, I do not know why I even waste time dealing with people like you, find a chat room or some friends. I simply do not care about your opinion. If you suspect they are not real than by all means DO NOT BID (it is not compulsory). Secondly get a f-ing life you loser. I pity guys like you who sit and throw stones either because you are threatened by someones success or you are a complete narcisist who thinks your opinion matters. Take your so-called expertise and hang it. Why don't you mind your own F-ing business? I see tons of stuff on EBAY which in my mind I question, but I don't offer my unsolicited opinion, I just do not bid, luckily I am too busy leading a positive and successful life, you should try it "expert". Best Regards JR”

luckjrio follow-up response
“By the way what makes you think that you have any credibility to tell me what to do or how to run my business? Good Luck "expert".”

2. My last message to luckjrio:
Not telling you how to run your business. Just wanted to let you know that the floats you are selling are Chinese reproductions period. Wanna know where I get my "expert" advise, check out woodysglassfloats.com specifically check out my blog where I call out people who sell fake floats. No need to respond again.

luckjrio last response:
“ Again you are incorrect. Secondly what kind of loser spends their time "calling out" what they consider fake fishing floats on a blog, tell me you are making this up. By the way if they are reproductions explain to me the barnacles, attached crustations, and wear and tear on both the glass and the rope rigging. Are you suggesting that they make these items in China and then set them adrift to be collected once they have been to sea. You are by far the most pitiful ebayer I have come across in five years. Good luck with your player hating blog you complete fool. I pity your horrible life. Sorry. JR”

Contrast

Due to its strange shape, the Japanese roller float seems to be the most desirable float among collectors.

The first Tohoku roller floats were made in northeastern Japan for the open water shark fishing industry. After that fishery was closed, rolling pin floats were later adopted for a variety of other purposes. Roller floats are still commonly used today in the octopus fishing industry.

Although normally found in typical aqua colors, on occasion they can be found in other rare colors.

Recent Trip Photos

Above are the rarest rollers of the trip. These will all end up in my display case.

New Style Roller. Texture is rough and mottled like 3 piece mold floats and full of bubbles. 5 1/2" in length X 1 1/2" in diameter first myself or Walt has ever seen.

Recent Trip Photos

During a recent glass float hunting trip to mainland, myself and Walt Pich collected some very rare rolling pin floats. This picture shows a few of the more unusual floats we collected during the trip. 2 of these floats are one of a kind. Most of them are very unusual to rare.

Although it might look as though "there's a float around every corner," its definitely hard work digging up old floats like these.

Favorite Marks

Few of My Favorite Marks

UL--TO

UC--Big Dai

UR--Small Nishitani

LL--Unknown

LC--Brushed Dai

LR--Small Star

BT--KS