Traditional Japanese Plaything: The Cup-and-Ball Game Kendama
In the heart of Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, a thrilling competition takes place each year, attracting kendama enthusiasts from Japan and overseas. The Kendama World Cup, now an annual event since 2014, has become a significant milestone for the global kendama community.
Originating in Hatsukaichi in 1921, the kendama is a Japanese variation of the classic cup-and-ball game. The name, derived from "ken" (sword) and "tama" (ball), reflects the game's balance of precision and agility. The modern kendama features three different-sized cups and a spike at the end, offering an array of tricks, ranging from simple to advanced.
Common tricks and techniques in kendama include cup catches, spike (Tomeken), Around Japan, Around the World, ken flips and tricks, juggle and stall tricks, and string tricks. These moves require skillful coordination, precision, and control, with some sequences involving catching the ball on various parts of the kendama and performing coordinated flips and balances.
The Kendama World Cup showcases these advanced tricks, providing a platform for kendama practitioners to pit their skills against other participants. The competition has been instrumental in promoting the popularity of kendama worldwide, encouraging both beginners and professionals to push their boundaries and develop new, unusual tricks.
Mastering string length and proper stringing technique is crucial, as it improves control and the potential to execute more advanced tricks. As enthusiasts build up their skill through practice and learning step-by-step trick progressions, they can progress from beginner-friendly cup catches to highly difficult combos and creative sequences.
The banner photo for this article is credited to Pixta, and the used image is a copyrighted image by Pixta. The Kendama World Cup continues to captivate the kendama community, offering an exciting spectacle of skill, creativity, and camaraderie.
[1] Reference for the importance of string length and technique [2] Reference for professional kendama players developing new tricks [3] Reference for the progression of tricks from beginner-friendly to advanced [4] Reference for the diversity of tricks and techniques in kendama [5] Reference for the role of proper stringing technique in executing advanced tricks.
- Amateur kendama players can begin with simple tricks like cup catches, but as they progress through intricate step-by-step trick progressions, they can effortlessly advance to performing complex combinations and imaginative sequences, much like the evolution of kendama history showcased through diverse moves, such as Around Japan, Around the World, and ken flips.
- Private home-and-garden spaces are not just for blossoming plants and cozy moments; they can also cultivate kendama enthusiasts, serving as a perfect setting for hobbyists to practice their lifestyle craft and learn new tricks, just as the enchanting Hatsukaichi, home to the kendama's origins, has been charming kendama practitioners with its unique charm since 1921, fostering a thriving and collaborative global community.
