Back to basics. Simplicity and playability were the focus in developing the Kendama USA Classic series. Made of birch wood, this Kendama is the lightest and softest wood in our collection. This is the first Kendama we have manufactured using the traditional 2 piece Japanese handle and stringing assembly, instead of the “fixed” handle style of the Tribute Kendama. A perfect choice for the player who is looking for an affordable Kendama, but isn’t willing to sacrifice playability.
Please note that unlike the Tribute models, the Classics are a simplified product and do not include instructions, stickers, extra strings, or a metal reinforcement inside the handle.
The homies over at Sac Kendama got a spot on Good Day Sacramento today. It’s fun checking out the skills of news hosts during these reports in different parts of the country. This guy got pretty dialed for on-air! Huge thanks for the shout outs to Kendama USA, Metropolis Comix, and for rocking the Tribute shirts and hoodies!
In November 2012 the Kendama USA Pro Team traveled to Japan to explore Kendama’s roots, players, and experience the homeland of this game that has changed all of our lives. This is the full length edit of our travels and tricks. Edited by Colin Sander.
Everything is tougher left handed. Writing your name, eating cereal, using your iPhone … but especially playing Kendama. Even the most simple tricks become nearly impossible when you try it switch. TJ Kolesnik recently moved to San Diego and has been training his lefty skills on the swaggy beaches. Enjoy!
Kendama USA spent a few weeks in New York City this winter for some city exploring, kendama playing, and of course the annual Toy Fair. During any New York City trip, you’re bound to spend a lot of time underground riding the subways, and that’s what episode 3 is all about. We met lots of interesting folks on the trains, and had lots of good mini sessions walking through stations and jamming on the platforms as we cruised through the city.
Big thanks to Jake Wiens for help behind the lens, and Jamie Olmstead for editing.
We cannot even find the words to describe this movie. Absolutely unparalleled quality. A unique glimpse into the Kendama community around the world. Matt Ballard and WKT have outdone themselves, and helped to tell an amazing story that needed to be told. No need to read anymore … Just watch and enjoy.
Published on Dec 16, 2012
Kendama is more than just a toy. It is the focal point of a community of people brought together by a common passion. From their hometown of Wenatchee, WA to the impoverished streets of Burundi, Africa, Where We Are follows Wenatchee Kendama Team as they take part in different communities around the globe.
Visit us at- Facebook.com/WenatcheeKendamaTeam
Buy your kendamas at- KendamaUSA.com
Starring WKT- Alex Loomer, Alex Winters, Chris Ringering, Chris Rodrigues, Conner Walsh, Greg Ringering, Jacob Resler, Keith Matsumura, Matthew Ballard, Nick Mayo, Scott Paine, Will Burwell, Zack Winters
Friends- Turner Thorne, Alex Smith, Jake Wiens, Dave Mateo, TJ Kolesnik, Hunter Bailey, Dana Fenster, Kristian Aynedter, Adam Kingman, Thomas Holzer, Daniela Von Rohr, Daniel Perez, Marta Queralt, Dan Robinson
Sponsors- KendamaUSA
Directed, Filmed, and Edited by- Matthew Ballard
Shot On Location- Washington, Idaho, Nevada, California, Switzerland, Spain, Burundi
When we arrived at the hotel in Tokyo, we found Zack Yourd already jamming with big group of Japanese Professional Kendama players. We wandered around the Shinjuku area and took in the epic views of Tokyo from the tops of sky scrapers. We had a late night jam session in the streets of Shinjuku. The group included Katsuaki Shimadera, Satoru Akimoto, Akira Tajima, Kenta Sakamoto, Hajime Ishibashi, Tomoyuki Tsukui, and the Kendama USA Pro Team. All the Japanese players stomped out tricks with clean style and mind boggling consistency. It’s a level of skill that is amazing to witness in person. 99% of the tricks were landed first try!!! It was an honor to meet everybody and really good time in the streets of Tokyo.
Special thanks to Colin Sander for the skills behind the lens and inside the editing room.
Final finished Plenty of bangers plus some quick-shots from my trip to California and around Canton. I wanted to create a higher energy kendama edit and took inspiration from the music video for the song DIE SLOW by HEALTH. All rights to HEALTH
Kendama USA spent a few weeks in New York City this winter for some city exploring, kendama playing, and of course the annual Toy Fair. In Episode 2 the guys hit the streets and roam through Times Square. We got to stomp some tricks, meet some interesting people from all over the world, and introduce them to Kendama. They seemed pretty pumped! Despite being freezing cold, it was an amazing time.
Big thanks to Jake Wiens for help behind the lens, and Jamie Olmstead for editing.
Zack, Turner and Alex spend a few hours at SNOVA, in Yokohama, Japan.
Sketchy rental gear on ice. What a crazy place for the first day of a new winter season.
Part of the KendamaUSA pro team’s tour in Japan, November 2012.
Music: The Rapture by Sabrepulse
Plenty of bangers plus some quick-shots from my trip to California and around Canton. I wanted to create a higher energy kendama edit and took inspiration from the music video for the song DIE SLOW by HEALTH. All rights to HEALTH
