![[Rec] Challenge! A roundup of kendama tricks](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/Fd0L_TWLWa4/maxresdefault.webp)
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! A roundup of jump rope tricks and techniques
- Get the Fun Going! Easy Classroom Games You Can Play at School: Recreational Activities for the Whole Class
- Fun activities for junior high school students. Recreation games.
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- Challenge together! A roundup of word games for adults
- Recreation Ideas That Truly Excite High School Students! A Fun Collection of Activities
- Let's Make and Play! A Collection of Homemade Kendama Ideas
- Horizontal bar skills: Moves you’ll want to try at least once! A roundup of popular techniques.
- [Showtime] Soccer skills that make you want to try them! [Techniques]
- [Path to Improvement] Techniques That Make You Want to Play! A Summary of Table Tennis Skills [Techniques]
- Skateboard Tricks Overview: From Basic Moves to Signature Tricks
- Fun Ball Sports: A Roundup of Ball-Based Play, Games, and Sports
- [Sports] Recreational games using a ball [Play]
[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.
Flying Trapeze
The “Trapeze”! Hold the string, swing the kendama up, catch the ken in midair, and land the ball on the big cup.
With the ball spiked on the tip, pinch the string and move the kendama as if rotating it away from you.
As the ball comes off, grab the ken and set the ball on the big cup.
Three moments are crucial: when the ball separates, when you grab the ken, and when you present the big cup under the ball.
First, practice each action separately—switching your grip, catching, and placing on the big cup—then combine them once you’ve got the feel.
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.