basic tricks for kendama
Basic tricks from the Kendama Association Skill Level table.
*Gifs animation are from Japanese Kendama Association's
1) Big Cup or 'Oozara'
Hold the kendama using the Sara Grip so that the spike points towards the floor and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and scoop the kendama underneath to catch the ball in the big cup.
2) Small Cup or 'Kozara'
Hold the kendama using the Sara Grip so that the spike points towards the floor and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and scoop the kendama underneath to catch the ball in the small cup.
3) Base Cup or 'Chuuzara'
Hold the kendama using the Sara Grip so that the spike points towards the floor and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and catch the ball in the base cup.
4) Candle or 'Rousoku'
Hold the kendama using the Rousoku Grip so that the spike points towards the floor and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and catch the ball in the base cup.
5) Pull-up-in/Spike or 'Tomeken'
Hold the kendama using the Ken Grip so that the spike points upwards at a slight angle and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and scoop the kendama underneath to catch the ball on the spike.
6) Aeroplane or 'Hikouki'
Hold the ball in the Tama Grip so that the hole in the ball faces up and away from you and the kendama hangs below. With the other hand pull the kendama back towards you with the spike pointing away from you. Let go and swing the kendama up and catch it with the spike in the hole.
7) Swing In or 'Furiken'
Hold the kendama in the Ken grip. With the other hand pull the ball back towards you with the spike pointing away from you. Let go and swing the ball up in an arc and catch it on the spike.
8) Around Japan or 'Nihon isshuu'
Hold the kendama using the Ken grip. Pull the ball straight up and catch it in the small cup. From here throw the ball again and catch it in the big cup. From this position throw the ball one more time and catch it on the spike.
9) Around the World or 'Sekai isshuu'
Hold the kendama using the Ken grip. Pull the ball straight up and catch it in the small cup. From here throw the ball again, this time catching it in the big cup, and then again, catching it in the base cup. From this position throw the ball one more time and catch it on the spike.
10) Lighthouse or 'Toudai'
Using the Tama grip hold the ball so that the Kendama hangs below, spike upwards. Pull the kendama straight up and catch it balanced on top of the ball, the base cup resting on top of the ball. Hold still for 3 seconds.
11) Moshi Kame
Hold the kendama using the Sara grip and throw the ball back and forth between the side cup and the base cup. Try to keep up a steady rythmn whilst doing this. See how many catches you can make before dropping!
*Gifs animation are from Japanese Kendama Association's
1) Big Cup or 'Oozara'
Hold the kendama using the Sara Grip so that the spike points towards the floor and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and scoop the kendama underneath to catch the ball in the big cup.
2) Small Cup or 'Kozara'
Hold the kendama using the Sara Grip so that the spike points towards the floor and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and scoop the kendama underneath to catch the ball in the small cup.
3) Base Cup or 'Chuuzara'
Hold the kendama using the Sara Grip so that the spike points towards the floor and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and catch the ball in the base cup.
4) Candle or 'Rousoku'
Hold the kendama using the Rousoku Grip so that the spike points towards the floor and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and catch the ball in the base cup.
5) Pull-up-in/Spike or 'Tomeken'
Hold the kendama using the Ken Grip so that the spike points upwards at a slight angle and the ball hangs at the end of the string. Pull the ball straight up and scoop the kendama underneath to catch the ball on the spike.
6) Aeroplane or 'Hikouki'
Hold the ball in the Tama Grip so that the hole in the ball faces up and away from you and the kendama hangs below. With the other hand pull the kendama back towards you with the spike pointing away from you. Let go and swing the kendama up and catch it with the spike in the hole.
7) Swing In or 'Furiken'
Hold the kendama in the Ken grip. With the other hand pull the ball back towards you with the spike pointing away from you. Let go and swing the ball up in an arc and catch it on the spike.
8) Around Japan or 'Nihon isshuu'
Hold the kendama using the Ken grip. Pull the ball straight up and catch it in the small cup. From here throw the ball again and catch it in the big cup. From this position throw the ball one more time and catch it on the spike.
9) Around the World or 'Sekai isshuu'
Hold the kendama using the Ken grip. Pull the ball straight up and catch it in the small cup. From here throw the ball again, this time catching it in the big cup, and then again, catching it in the base cup. From this position throw the ball one more time and catch it on the spike.
10) Lighthouse or 'Toudai'
Using the Tama grip hold the ball so that the Kendama hangs below, spike upwards. Pull the kendama straight up and catch it balanced on top of the ball, the base cup resting on top of the ball. Hold still for 3 seconds.
11) Moshi Kame
Hold the kendama using the Sara grip and throw the ball back and forth between the side cup and the base cup. Try to keep up a steady rythmn whilst doing this. See how many catches you can make before dropping!
