Kendama is traditional Japanese wooden toy. It’s simple structure of a ball with small hole, string and the stick with a point at one end, three cups. How do the players enjoy Kendama?? The typical play is to catch the ball in one of the three cups. The player must need good balance and concentration. It looks like juggling.


 
Nowadays Kendama is mixed with traditional and modern culture. Some people enjoy it outside with friends. Today let me share advanced Kendama performance!!

These photos and movie were produced by GLOKEN

It’s easy to understand how they enjoy Kendama when you watch below movie. 



What do you think of this performance?? Absolutely beautiful performance!?

Many Japanese have played kendama at least one time in childhood. However some Japanese recognized Kendama was traditional but a little bid old toy for kids. But current couple of years, the kendama boom in Japan has been expanded the younger generation(20-30 years old)who enjoy trendy music or street sports like skate board and BMX. New style’s kendama entertain audiences because the play is dynamic action. And the people who are fascinated with kendama enjoy watching and playing various tricks with their friends (It’s called “waza” in Japanese). Some of them enjoy playing kendama with music on the street. This new style of kendama was reimported from USA.



You can also watch various performances on YouTube. The kendama tricks would be shared on Internet easily. So that the players who live in different countries compete with each other and check advanced techniques easily. And the world No1 player is decided in a championship which is held by GLOKEN. (238 players from 14 countries and regions joined the competition in 2015.)



Of course younger generation in Japan love TV/social network games. But some of traditional toys like kendama still have been developing and these toys fascinate younger generation who love new things.

There are similar toys all over the world. Is there any similar toy in your countries? 
What toys did you play with in childhood? 

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