To quote on their anticipated role, from LaCroix and Welles “Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War”:  “they were intended as high speed, protected flotilla leaders or destroyer squadron flagships…… to accommodate the flag officer and his staff, as well as facilities for command and control. Tactically, they were to lead and sustain torpedo attacks by the destroyer flotillas, or squadrons, against the enemy fleet, and to protect the destroyers against gunfire from enemy destroyers and any accompanying light cruiser.”

The Tenryus mounted four Type 3 14cm 50 cal guns in open backed shields as their main battery, all mounted on the centerline. Also included in their armament were smaller AA guns and two unshielded Type 6 torpedo mounts, each carrying three of their 53cm diameter torpedoes, also mounted on the centerline. No reloads were provided for.

They incorporated destroyer type machinery and three sets of geared turbines driving three shafts, along with a mix of coal and oil fired boilers, to achieve a high speed of 33 knots. To keep weight down and to increase the hull strength required in a ship with a high length to beam ratio (for speed), high tensile steel was used in their hulls.  Light armor for protection from 4” shells was also installed. The new bow form, commonly called a spoon bow, was adopted from the new Isokaze class destroyer.