Tokyo Seishin – Pitted
The Tokyo Seishin was designed for surfers who want to find out what their shortboard can really do when the wave gets serious.
Originally developed from the high-performance DNA of the Tokyo Samurai, the Seishin was created to retain the speed, hold and precision needed for hollow, powerful surf while making the design considerably more useful in the conditions we actually surf at home.
The outline carries its wide point forward, with a lower nose, slightly pulled-in tail and carefully controlled thickness through the front half. Thinner rails and tail provide the hold and sensitivity needed when you're travelling fast, while the lower front rocker gets you into waves early and builds speed quickly.
At the back, increased rocker gives the Seishin the control and responsiveness to fit into tighter curves and redirect when the wave demands it.
Underneath, a single concave flows into double concave and a subtle V through the tail, shedding water efficiently and allowing the board to transition rapidly from rail to rail.
The Seishin is not a small-wave board pretending to be a performance shortboard.
It's built for proper waves.
When the face stands up, the section throws and there's a barrel waiting to be found, the Seishin comes alive.
Pitted. That's what this one is for.
Design Philosophy:
The Seishin was born from a simple problem.
We wanted the performance of a board designed for powerful, hollow waves, but we didn't want a board that only came alive on a surf trip.
The design therefore focuses on making high-performance surfing more accessible without compromising what matters when the surf gets serious.
The forward wide point and lower nose help the board enter waves quickly, while the forward thickness provides useful paddle power without creating a bulky feel.
The pulled-in tail, refined rails and increased rear rocker are there for one reason: control at speed.
When you're travelling fast down the line or setting up for a critical section, the board needs to hold its line, engage the rail and respond immediately when you ask it to change direction.
That's where the Seishin earns its place.
Design & Construction:
Designed by: Lee Willoughby & Bill Atlee – Tokyo Surfboards
Master Shaper: Bill Atlee
Team Rider Influence: Joe Pearce
Concept: High-Performance Shortboard
Construction: Individually hand-shaped in Britain.
Rocker: Medium nose and tail, with increased rear rocker for turning and control.
Rails: Medium to hard, with refined thinner rails and tail for hold at speed.
Bottom Contour: Single concave flowing into double concave with subtle V through the tail.
Fin Configuration: Five Futures boxes — Thruster or Quad.
Glass Specification: Double 4oz deck / single 4oz bottom.
Construction Options: Available with custom resin tints, pigments and bespoke artwork.
Designer's Notes:
The Seishin was developed to bring serious-wave performance into a board that remains genuinely useful at home.
We wanted the sensitivity and control of a high-performance shortboard, but with enough paddle power and forward volume to make the board practical rather than punishing.
Team rider Joe Pearce has provided valuable influence in the development of the design, particularly in understanding how the board behaves when pushed hard in quality surf.
The Seishin is at its best when you stop thinking about the board and start concentrating on the wave.
Get in early.
Build speed.
Set the rail.
Find the section.
And when the lip starts throwing over your head, that's when you know you've brought the right board.
This is where the Seishin wants to be.
Ideal Conditions:
Wave Size: Shoulder to well over head 5'–8'+.
Wave Type: Powerful beach breaks, reefs, points and hollow waves where speed, hold and precision are essential.
Skill Level: Advanced / Very Experienced.
Best For: Experienced surfers looking for a high-performance shortboard capable of handling powerful, critical surf.
Not Designed For: Beginners, small-wave grovelling or surfers looking for an easy-going everyday shortboard.
Size & Dimension Matrix:
5'8" × 18¾" × 2⅜" • Approx. 25L — Compact and highly responsive for lighter, experienced surfers.
5'10" × 19" × 2½" • Approx. 27.5L — Balanced performance with increased paddle power.
6'0" × 19⅜" × 2½" • Approx. 30L — A versatile performance size with speed and control.
6'2" × 19¾" × 2⅞" • Approx. 32.5L — Extra volume and paddle power for larger surfers without losing performance.
6'4" — Planned additional size for larger surfers wanting the Seishin's high-performance characteristics.
Custom dimensions are available upon request.
Tokyo Design Philosophy:
Every Tokyo Surfboard begins as a conversation.
Ideas are sketched, prototypes are built, outlines are refined and details are questioned until every element earns its place.
We don't chase annual model releases or passing trends. Every design in the Tokyo collection exists because it solves a problem, offers a unique surfing experience or reminds us why we fell in love with surfing in the first place.
Each board is individually hand-shaped in Britain by master craftsmen using carefully selected materials and construction methods chosen for longevity rather than planned obsolescence.
We believe the most sustainable surfboard is one that remains in the water for decades, not seasons.
Tokyo Surfboards was founded on a simple belief:
Build better boards. Build fewer boards. Build boards worth keeping.
