Kendama is skill toy in basic terms. It's addictively challenging, extremely rewarding. Playing embules the wielder with self-confidence that can be applied to any number of life situations. Its known to tune hand eye coordination, sharpen your reflexes and increase mental focus. Some also consider it meditation!
In general, tricks can be done by catching the ball in a cup, balancing the ken on the ball and spiking the ball with the ken. More advanced lines include stalls, juggles and string flow. It may seem simple, but there's nearly an unlimited number of techniques and levels of play. Mastering takes persistence, focus and creativity.
While most people play Kendama for fun and strong social aspects, the Japanese Kendama Association (JKA) has held contests since 1979.
Nowadays forms of competitive Kendama take place all over the globe. From lightning quick speed ladders to jaw dropping freestyle battles technical open divisions and 1-on-1 world championships, competitions are a major highlight within Kendama culture.
Origins
Popular variants were played by the likes of King Henry the third during the 16th Century. Then it was called a Bilboquet. Though the toy soon fell out of fashion after his death. During the 1900's It also found a home in Spanish and Portuguese regions. In these areas it became known as a Balero or boliche. The version of our popular Kendama shape wasn't inherent until after travelling from the west to Japan via the silk road. During its infancy, Kendama was also used by Japanese adults as a traditional drinking game! If a player made a mistake, they were made to drink!
History
The concept of Kendama has been independently created in several pockets all over the globe. The earliest instance is believed to have existed over 2,500 years ago in Greenland. Ajagak's (Aj' uh-gahk) as pictured above, were played by Inuit children residing in the Arctic. A spiked bone would be tethered to a skull, or larger piece of seal bone by a length of sinew. They would hold the spike, swing the seal bone and try to catch it on the spike.
Popular Culture
Jitsugetsu ball as it was called then, was introduced as an educational toy in a report on children's academics In the mid 1870s. The game gradually became popular over time and in August of 1918, Hamaji Egusa created a Kendama much like its current form. Then in 1920 the shape was slightly altered, a patent awarded and Kendama as we know it was born. A monument also sits in Hatsukaichi City to commemorate its birthplace. later In 1975 Fujiwara Issei founded the Japanese Kendama Association. The JKA standardized Kendama for competitive use and created a level field to accurately benchmark a players skill. During the 2000s, Kendama's popularity surged outside Japan. Then in 2006 Kendama USA and the British Kendama Association (BKA) were also founded.
In 2014 the Global Kendama Network (GLOKEN) started the Kendama World Cup in Hatsukaichi, Japan. Utilizing a new format, players choose 5 tricks from a list of 100 and compete to complete tricks within a time limit. Different difficulty levels are set per trick and a player receives points corresponding to the level of tricks completed.
Each year trick lists are announced prior to the event, giving participants time to hone their skills. This showdown is a true consistency check, with some of the most technically challenging tricks being brought to the table by some of the best players around the world.
Gloken Kendama World Cup Champions 2014 - Bonz Atron / USA / Kendama Co 2015 - Wyatt Bray / USA / KendamaUSA 2016 - Bryson Lee / USA / Sweets Kendamas 2017 - So Kanada / Japan / Sweets Kendamas
In Downtown Tokyo, Japan, The world's largest Freestyle Championship defined a new way to judge and perform freestyle Kendama. Players from around the world apply to participate by submitting their prior achievements. The top 60 or so are invited to perform for 90 seconds one by one.
Judges then determine finalists that go head to head with 45 second 1 on 1 battles. As this is a freestyle competition of the highest calibre, you’ll see creative tricks executed with finesse and explosive finishes that send crowds into a wild frenzy!
Catch & Flow World Freestyle Champions 2014 - Thorkild May / DENMARK / KROM Kendama 2015 - Bonz Atron / USA / KROM Kendama 2016 - Jake Fischer / USA / KROM Kendama 2017 - Bonz Atron / USA / KROM Kendama
In North America the Minnesota Kendama Open hosted by Sweets Kendamas has happened every Fall since 2013. MKO is the largest event in America and houses a number of different competitions Players are able to have fun and compete at any level of skill.
Beginner and Intermediate players race through speed ladders and advanced/pro players can compete head-to-head Open divisions where trick cards are pulled at random and players must prove how consistently they can land them. If one players makes the trick and the second misses, the first player gets a point. Rounds are played to 3 points. MKO also showcases a freestyle competition.
Minnesota Kendama Open Champions 2013 - Max Norcross / USA / Sweets Kendamas 2014 - Lukas Funk / USA / Sweets Kendamas 2015 - Zack Gallagher / USA / Sweets Kendamas 2016 - Nick Gallagher / USA / Sweets Kendamas 2017 - So Kanada / Japan / Sweets Kendamas
Minnesota Kendama Open Freestyle Champions 2015 - Jake Fischer / USA / KROM Kendama 2016 - Bonz Atron / USA / KROM Kendama 2017 - Nick Gallagher / USA / Sweets Kendamas
The British Kendama Association (BKA) were the first group to hold a formal contest outside Japan in 2008 at the British Juggling Convention in Doncaster. They continue to support the British Kendama Open & European Kendama Open (BKO & EKO) each year. These contests also adopt the new gen style of multi level and cross platform competitions much like MKO.
British Kendama Open Champions 2008 - The Void / UK / Royal Kendama 2009 - Guy Heathcote / UK 2010 - The Void / UK / Royal Kendama 2011 - Matt Nix / UK 2012 - Matt Nix / UK 2013 - Matt Nix / UK 2014 - Thorny / UK 2015 - Rob Henman / UK / Royal 2016 - Rob Henman / UK / Royal 2017 - Rolf Sandvig Ganer / DK / KROM
European Kendama Open Champions 2008 - Idam / UK 2011 - Tomoya Mukai / JP 2012 - Tomoya Mukai / JP 2013 - Tomoya Mukai / JP 2014 - Katsuaki Shimadera / JP 2015 - Rob Henman / UK / Royal 2016 - Rob Henman / UK / Royal 2017 - Rolf Sandvig Ganer / DK / KROM
Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device
Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.
