MR.JML
I agree, the proof is on the water. Tenkara USA recently made a blog post to define what is and what is not a tenkara rod, it makes valid points regarding telescopic rods in general. It mentions that the absence of a handle is one of the defining characteristics. In some cases the similarities out weigh the differences. If the only difference between the two rods mentioned in Toms blog post is a cork handle, and the fact that he likes the Soyokaze better as a small stream rod, then I say put a cork handle on it. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, than it's probably a duck.
JD