I might be wrong but I don't think they had cork handles on bamboo tenkara rods before the introduction of telescopic carbon fiber or fibre glass tenkara rods... Would those bamboo tenkara rods not be considered tenkara rods? Just saying.

You might notice from my sarkasm that I am a bit tired of what is and what is not tenkara (rods, technique etc.). I love "this style of fly fishing" whatever you call it or whether its historically accurate or not. That is all that counts for me.

And I just ordered the 27SR in addition to the 30SR I already own. Might as well.