The most popular Christmas gift this year won’t have a battery pack or controller.
Kids are crazy about kendamas, an old-school Japanese ball-and-cup toy most often made of wood. And it’s so popular that schools in Hawaii are even banning it.
But how in the world did this thing blow up?
It’s an old-fashioned toy, one that kids in Japan don’t even play with anymore. And I didn’t grow up twirling them around, either. So what happened?
Turns out, the craze isn’t just in Hawaii. Kids from Sacramento to Michigan are mastering the various tricks you can do with the wooden cup and ball.
Here’s how it works: the “ken” in kendama refers to the body of the toy, which is made of wood or plastic. The “ken” houses two cups — one bigger, one smaller — with another cup on the bottom, called the “base.” The ball, or “tams,” is attached to a piece of string. The idea is to swing the ball into one of the cups or land it on the “spike,” which is located at the top of the “ken.”
Oh, it’s not easy. I’ve been playing around with a kendama for about a week now, and all I can do is catch the ball in the three different cups. Forget the spike.
Watch these tricks.
So where did trend come from? Some point to Europe, where kendamas have been popular for years. The toy is similar to France’s bilboquet, which dates back to the 1500s. And in Latin American there’s a version of the toy known as balero.
But the kendama as we see it today hails from Japan near the turn of the 20th century. The Japan Kendama Association was founded in 1975 to establish rules and standardize the size. But its popularity has waned in recent years, at least in Japan, but for some reason, it’s really caught on in other parts of the world.
Now there are kendama clubs, professional teams and YouTube videos galore.
Toys cost anywhere from $15 for a entry-level model to the Kendama USA Pro Model — yes, pro model — made of cherry wood for $27.99. And there are even specialty kendamas that cost more than $150 each. (Here’s a secret: you can get them for about $1 in Japan at the 100-yen stores. Don’t tell anyone.)
I can see the toy’s appeal. I tend to get very distracted trying to master the simplest of tricks. But I’m pretty surprised by its widespread appeal with today’s kids who seem so attached to game consoles and iPads.
On one hand, that’s great they’re interested in old-fashioned wooden toys instead of mind-numbing video games. But on the other, it’s not as exciting as “Madden NFL 25.” So what’s up?
Anyone can explain this kendama trend to me?
9 Comments
Yeah, my mom and I have been scratching our heads on this one. I am surprised to hear it’s on the mainland too. I remember my brother and I playing with these things in Japan IN THE 80’S. Certainly no need to shell out for one now, I’m pretty sure I can still find them at my mom’s house!
Keep trying for the spike. You’ll get it eventually. It’s best to start with a still ball and go slow. No big motions that will pull the string taught.
I’d say bring your Mom’s out and jam on it. It would be like the classic car that all these young kids never got a privilege to see or drive. It’s about finding the right players and promoters to push the scene into what it has never been. You can take any product, and blow it up and make it popular by integrating it in the right scenarios to create a nice flow. We started off as players before becoming teachers of the art. it is such an old toy. I believe the reason it has a lot of hype built around it is because of it’s simplicity. This technological-laden world is overrun by electronics. The toys require no batteries. What?! No batteries! yessss.
Good advice on the spike technique. It’s really about putting your whole body into the toy and being one with it, to make it work.
Shameless plug: Pearlridge is having a Kendama tournament on January 11. No one knows about it yet!
https://www.yelp.com/events/honolulu-hnl-winter-kendama-open
Wow Cat, this takes me back to my youth in the 50’s when toys were very simple and cheap. What other items will come back to modern day 2014? Bottle caps and marbles? Have a great one!
Hello Cat!
I remember this from small kid time. I saw it too in the 100 yen stores, maybe I should buy a whole suit case full when I go to Japan at the end of this month and sell them when I come back. 🙂
Hi Cat, it’s funny that you mention kids now go for the game consoles and not this kine stuff. Our hanai daughter has a step son who is 12 and he is constantly on his game console. So the last time I was visiting home, I was at the Windward Mall and got him a pack of POGS. When I went to Japan, right after, I went and got him some “menko” (the Japan version of POG) and a bamboo flier (a stick with a propeller that you make fly by twisting the shaft in the palms of your hands). I think these games are popular for the sheer simplicity, yeah?
Having a grade school child, I can tell you this really blew up since the start of this school year. At first I saw a few boys, then a group, and now everyone in the school yard. Wish they would bring back the yo-yo, I am way better at that.
With any sport, when someone amazingly excelled at it comes along and changes the game, it becomes a commodity.
These toys have been around for ages, we understand that, but the manufacturing of the products nowadays are pushed in such a higher quality with higher grade wood finishes, and various paint finishes, that of course the price is would go up, respectively. Think of it like antique furniture, handbags for women, luxury cars, there’s always going to be the best of the best, the mediocre,and the beginner kinds. Kendama is a Japanese toy. Influenced by many other cultures. I believe since Hawaii and Japan are so closely related, it’s easier for Hawaii to catch on.
I often hear the elders talk about (semi-complain) about the high prices from a buck to now thirty or so, bucks, from when they were a kid. I find it funny. Because wasn’t bread cheaper? gas cheaper? rent? food? lifestyle? wages? It is all based on inflation amongst rarity. It’s really all in preference as to what and how you play. the most pricy ones aren’t necessarily the best ones, but they may LOOK great! 😉