Hinoki Tanpan

Our analysis places the Darker Hinoki Tanpan in the OFF- category with a speed rating of 8.4. Many players find it plays somewhat slower than the Darker Speed 90, making it well-suited for controlled offensive play rather than pure power.

TTSensei experts consistently praise the Tanpan's excellent control, particularly for blocking and flat shots. The blade provides great feedback during play, allowing for precise shot placement and consistent performance across all aspects of the game.

You'll notice a solid, somewhat stiff yet medium-soft feel with the Tanpan—it's that unique Hinoki sensation that's hard to describe but instantly recognizable. The blade provides a soft, deep feeling that gives excellent touch on short balls and delicate shots.

The Tanpan's ability to produce heavy spin and powerful loops suggests a medium-high throw angle, which is characteristic of offensive Hinoki blades designed for spin-oriented attacking games.

The Tanpan delivers extended dwell time that lets you generate heavy spin with confidence. That classic Hinoki 'embracing' feeling at ball contact naturally facilitates spin production, making it ideal for players who rely on spin-oriented attacks.

The blade plays somewhat stiff, though our testing shows it's a bit less rigid than the Darker Speed 90. This places it in the medium-stiff flexibility range that many offensive players prefer.

Vibration is minimal during normal play, though you'll notice more feedback when striking the sweet spot directly. This provides clear indication of clean contact while maintaining comfort during regular shots.

Darker's Hinoki series represents the pinnacle of Japanese blade craftsmanship, and the Tanpan exemplifies this with its beautiful even grain patterns and perfectly uniform curved sides. The attention to detail in construction is immediately apparent, resulting in a blade that feels premium in hand and performs consistently shot after shot.