Last year when Kendama USA was touring Japan, we had the honor of visiting the Tokyo offices of the Japanese Kendama Association. This is a mecca of Kendama roots, relics, gems, and history that was overwhelming to take in. Despite having the most epic antique Kendama collection we had ever seen, everybody at the office was pulling priceless damas out of the glass cases and tossing them across the room for us to play. It was like the Louvre asking us to finger paint on the Mona Lisa. It was a great visit that the whole team will remember forever.
Big thanks to the JKA and Gloken for the hospitality and the history lesson, and to Matt Ballard for helping with the edit.
In this powerful, long-form showcase- one day of Japanese kendama-play is documented. Top performers from across the globe spend quality time with one another in the land o’ the dama. This was just one of many days during a blessed summer trip for WKF2012. I photographed so much, but had such little time upon my return I have only now begun to reach the footage. The longer-yet piece, ‘Peak Performance Kendama’ is in the works, including the whole of this trip, as well as the KG Roots tour, and more. One Day In Japan shows the joys of veteran-form… we didn’t set out after stunts. … this time.
Featuring:
Alex Ruisch
Jeffrey Van Reeven
Kenta Sakamoto
Tomoya Mukai
Rodnel Ansell
Tamotsu Kubota
Tajima Akira
Katsuaki Shimadera
Colin Sander
Musc by:
Beck
Phillip Glass
Rocket Juice & The Moon
