tips for kendama
If you're having trouble hitting a trick, always remember the golden rule: MORE KNEES!!!
String
Your string should be a minimum of 38cm between the cross-piece and the ball.
A rough guideline is to put the ball on the spike and then pull the string down towards bottom cup. You should be able to put two finger-widths into the loop hanging below the bottom cup. Of course, some people have fatter fingers than others, and some prefer to play with longer strings, but if your loop is 4 finger-widths or more, it's probably too long.
Sometimes during play, you may find that the knot/bead in the ball pops out of the hole. This can sometimes cause an obstruction between the ball and the ken. To prevent this from happening, you may wish to tie a small figure-of-8 knot in the string ~1.5cm above the ball.
(If you don't like the idea of tying a knot, an alternative is to gently touch the string with your ring finger-tip during the "pull-up" part of a trick. The friction against the finger is usually enough to stop the "bead pop".)
Your string should be a minimum of 38cm between the cross-piece and the ball.
A rough guideline is to put the ball on the spike and then pull the string down towards bottom cup. You should be able to put two finger-widths into the loop hanging below the bottom cup. Of course, some people have fatter fingers than others, and some prefer to play with longer strings, but if your loop is 4 finger-widths or more, it's probably too long.
Sometimes during play, you may find that the knot/bead in the ball pops out of the hole. This can sometimes cause an obstruction between the ball and the ken. To prevent this from happening, you may wish to tie a small figure-of-8 knot in the string ~1.5cm above the ball.
(If you don't like the idea of tying a knot, an alternative is to gently touch the string with your ring finger-tip during the "pull-up" part of a trick. The friction against the finger is usually enough to stop the "bead pop".)
Right or Left Handed
When holding the kendama in the Ken (Common) grip, with your thumb under the Big Cup, the string hole should be on the opposite side of the cross-piece to your hand. If it isn't, you'll need to re-string your kendama through the opposite hole in the cross-piece.
When holding the kendama in the Ken (Common) grip, with your thumb under the Big Cup, the string hole should be on the opposite side of the cross-piece to your hand. If it isn't, you'll need to re-string your kendama through the opposite hole in the cross-piece.
Glueing the tip
You can harden the tip of your spike, to prevent it getting blunt during play. To do this, hold the ken upside-down, and dip the tip into a small blob of superglue. Then use a paperclip or pin to spread the glue along the slope of the tip. Do not go beyond the slope! Let the kendama stand/hang upside down for 24 hours to allow the superglue to soak in and dry fully.
Please be aware that a hardened tip may be more likely to cause paint to chip. To avoid this, play gently, and use good technique. Or, wait until your tip has bluntened a little bit before you glue it.
You can harden the tip of your spike, to prevent it getting blunt during play. To do this, hold the ken upside-down, and dip the tip into a small blob of superglue. Then use a paperclip or pin to spread the glue along the slope of the tip. Do not go beyond the slope! Let the kendama stand/hang upside down for 24 hours to allow the superglue to soak in and dry fully.
Please be aware that a hardened tip may be more likely to cause paint to chip. To avoid this, play gently, and use good technique. Or, wait until your tip has bluntened a little bit before you glue it.
Approvals of Kendamas during Competitions (varies from different contest/gradings)
For all models, only single paint colours, or 1 colour with a single horizontal stripe are accepted.
Only standard paint finishes are accepted, unless otherwise stated. No sticky/tacky formulas.
Only one kendama may be used by a competitor. Competitors must own their own kendama.
For all models, only single paint colours, or 1 colour with a single horizontal stripe are accepted.
Only standard paint finishes are accepted, unless otherwise stated. No sticky/tacky formulas.
Only one kendama may be used by a competitor. Competitors must own their own kendama.
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Allowed Modifications
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Disallowed Modifications
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