![[Rec] Challenge! A roundup of kendama tricks](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/Fd0L_TWLWa4/maxresdefault.webp)
[Rec] Challenge! A roundup of kendama tricks
The traditional toy, kendama.
You might strongly associate it with children’s play, but in recent years it has spread worldwide as a sport—there are even world championships.
Nailing tricks to music has that dance-like vibe—it looks really cool!
In this article, we’ll introduce kendama tricks.
From basic moves to advanced ones.
If you’re thinking of giving kendama a try, be sure to use this as a reference!
[Rec] Challenge! Kendama Tricks Compilation (1–10)
Traveling around Japan
Japan Tour: Place the ball on the small cup, then the big cup, and finish by inserting the spike into the hole.
Hold the kendama so the small cup faces outward, use a knee bend as a cushion to lift the ball, and land it on the leveled small cup.
As you lift the ball, push the spike forward slightly with your wrist; this makes the ball’s hole face you when it lands on the small cup, making the final spike easier.
After placing it on the small cup, turn your wrist to move it to the big cup, then pull the ball straight up and insert the spike into the hole.
The initial move of landing on the small cup is crucial, so practice each step carefully.
Tsubame-gaeshi
After placing the ball on the big cup, swing the ken in a full circle around the ball and catch the ball on the big cup again—this is called “Tsubame Gaeshi.” Once the ball is on the big cup, pull the ball straight up, then rotate the ken quickly one full turn clockwise and one full turn counterclockwise.
Keep your eyes focused on the ball’s movement, use your knees for cushioning, and perform each motion carefully.
Hook your finger on the slip stop to stabilize the ken, and match your body movement to the ball—that’s the key.
Try practicing with the image of using your whole body, not just your hands!
Earth-turning
After performing Furiken, where you swing the ball forward and spear the tip into the hole, you then spin the ball once and re-stab it onto the tip—this is called Chikyū Mawashi (Around the World).
The movement isn’t particularly flashy, but it’s quite challenging and very rewarding to master.
Starting with the ball already on the tip, use a sharp recoil to pop the ball straight upward with force.
To add rotation, it’s important to throw the ball upward while keeping the tip vertical.
Use your knees for cushioning, and keep your eyes focused on the ball’s motion.
Windmill Ken
The “Windmill Ken,” where you spin the ken once while the ball is in the air.
Face the big cup toward yourself and hold the ken with your index finger hooked under the small cup.
Rest your thumb on the big cup or along its rim.
In this position, first practice spinning the ken once while keeping your index finger in contact.
Once you can do that, all that’s left is to combine it with the motion of pulling the ball straight up.
Toss the ball a bit higher to give yourself time to spin the ken, and you’ll find it easier to succeed.
tip slip
Ken-saki suberi (tip slide): Turn the ken sideways and slide the ball that you’ve placed on the tip, then catch it on the ken tip.
Pull the ball straight up and place it in the middle area between the small and big cups, between the spike (ken-saki) and the sarado.
Keeping the spike pointing upward, give a slight pull on the ken to create recoil, shift the ball onto the spike, and quickly stab the hole so the spike catches the ball.
When lifting the ball, make good use of extending your knees; when transferring the ball, use a knee-bending motion—this will increase your success rate! Practice each of the two stages carefully to master them.
Tomeken (a kendama trick where you catch the ball on the spike from a resting position)
The move where you lift the ball straight up and stab it onto the spike is called “Tomeken.” It looks simple but is surprisingly tricky.
First, hold the ken by pinching it between your thumb and index finger, and pull the ball straight up.
Using your knees as a cushion helps keep the ball’s trajectory from wobbling.
Then, when the string slackens, move the ken directly under the ball and insert the spike into the hole to succeed! If the ball’s hole isn’t facing straight down, you won’t be able to land the spike cleanly.
Try practicing carefully, using your knees plenty to avoid putting spin on the ball.
postdated check
Furikaen: Swing the ball forward, let it spin once, then spike it onto the ken.
Pinch the ken between your thumb and index finger and lightly rest your other fingers on it.
With your other hand, gently draw the ball toward you to get into position.
Swing the ball forward, and when it passes directly beneath, pull the ken toward yourself and stab it into the hole of the returning ball.
The key to this trick is the timing of the pull and the speed you draw it in.
It’s also important to use your knees as effective cushions.
Keep practicing to get the feel for it!
Moshikame (a kendama trick; short for ‘Moshi moshi kame yo’)
“Moshikame” is the move where you repeatedly place the ball on the big cup and then the small cup in order.
The name comes from the fact that it used to be done to the rhythm of the children’s song “Usagi to Kame” (“The Hare and the Tortoise”).
It’s a continuous trick that requires long repetition, but at first it’s crucial to reliably land the ball on both the big cup and the small cup.
Use a knee cushion to lift the ball one time for each catch, and when transitioning to the next movement, don’t rush—take a moment to set up properly before proceeding.
Patient, steady practice without haste is the fastest route to success!
Lead-in candle
With the ken inverted, hold the tip of the spike and take your stance, then swing the tama forward from below and land it on the big cup—this is “Mae-furi Rousoku” (forward-swing candle).
It’s a variation of “Rousoku” (candle), where you normally swing the tama straight up from below to land it, but here you change the tama’s trajectory.
Lightly hold the tama with your other hand while giving it a gentle pull, release it, and when the tama passes directly under the ken, draw the ken toward you and slide the big cup under the tama to catch it.
Key points are the timing of pulling the ken and using your knees as a cushion.
It’s also important to firmly support the spike tip with your fingertips so the ken doesn’t wobble!
Small plate, large plate, medium plate
Move the ball onto the three cups in sequence: small cup, big cup, medium cup.
Turn the big cup toward yourself and hold the ken by pinching it with your thumb and index finger.
Rest your other fingers lightly.
Tilt the ken slightly so the string doesn’t touch the ken or your fingers.
Bend your knees a bit and pull the ball up in one motion, landing it on the small cup with the cup facing up.
After that, rotate your wrist so each cup faces upward as you place the ball onto it in turn.
The key points are to lift the ball with the image of letting it float rather than throwing it too high, and to move only the ken without changing the ball’s position.
Wrist snap and flexible knees are also important!