What is a Kendama?
けん玉
An Introduction to Kendama
Kendama (けん玉) is a fun and challenging skill game that originated in Japan over 100 years ago. Today it is played all around the world. Kendama challenges physical motor skills such as hand-eye coordination, balance, and reflexes. It can be played by young and old alike. There are endless trick possibilities which keeps Kendama engaging at all skill levels from the beginner to the seasoned master.
The Kendama is made up of the “Ken” (handle) and the “Tama” (ball), connected by a string. The fundamental Kendama tricks are done by tossing and catching the ball between the 3 cups, “spiking” the hole in the tama with the tip of the Ken, and balancing both pieces creative ways. It’s a combination of technical ability, plus the flow and performance of tricks that creates each players unique style.
Kendama has become a popular game because of its simple stylish design, its creative and challenging nature, and its amazing community of players across the globe. Playing Kendama is a great alternative to screen time, and is a breath of fresh air in our society increasingly addicted to electronic devices. Beyond the mental and physical benefits, Kendama is simply a fun game to connect people and share with friends.
A Brief History of Kendama
The history of Kendama goes back quite far. While Kendama itself is distinctly Japanese, the concept of a cup and ball game has origins spanning across the globe. Many cultures around the world have their own version of a toss and catch game. The earliest known would be the Inuit game “Ajagaq“ played with a piece of bone connected by a string. Similar ball and cup variations from other countries include the Balero, Boliche, Capirucho, Emboque, Coca, and Perinola. The Kendama is believed to have deeper roots in a French version called the Bilboquet. It’s thought that the Bilboquet made its way to Japan as the silk road connected East Asia to Europe, likely through the trading port of Nagasaki. It was often played as a drinking game for adults, and later caught popularity as a children’s toy.
The distinguishing innovation that set Kendama apart from the Bilboquet was the addition of the cross piece (the Sarado) on the handle. This created the iconic shape of the modern Kendama, and opened the door to new tricks. The first known version of this was the Nichi-getsu Ball (Sun and Moon Ball), which was patented in 1919 in Hatsukaichi Japan, a city in the Hiroshima prefecture.
An example of a French style Bilboquet
A Nichi-getsu ball (Sun & moon ball), the earliest version of a Kendama with the cross piece (Sarado) added
As the popularity of the game grew, the Japanese Kendama Association (JKA) was founded in 1975 by Issei Fujiwara to help establish Kendama as a sport and formally promote it in Japan. In 1978, the first official JKA approved Kendama, the F16 model, was released. This Kendama provided better balance than the Nichi-getsu ball, an improved snap-resistant string, and the ability to string the Kendama for both right and left handed players. The JKA helped to standardize tricks and competitions, and make refinements to the physical Kendama design. The JKA continues operating today in Tokyo, Japan.
The origins of Kendama USA
Although Kendamas were available to foreigners visitors as a cultural game and souvenir in the 1900’s, they remained commercially confined to Japan for decades. As a result, the evolution of Kendama play had limited reach outside the country.
In July 2006, American photographer Jeremy Stephenson was on assignment in Japan when friends in Tokyo introduced him to Kendama. Captivated by the game, he purchased his own and took it with him on his travels, where he noticed that people around the world were intrigued by it and enjoyed playing. Realizing Kendamas were not available outside Japan, he founded Kendama USA in 2006 to make them accessible internationally and to share the game with a broader audience.
Jeremy Stephenson photographed with his first red TK16 Kendama, days prior to launching Kendama USA. Lawrence, KS 2007
Introducing Kendama to new friends around the world. Guayas, Ecuador 2007
Kendama USA honored the traditional Japanese techniques of Kendama while pioneering a unique blend of creativity and freestyle elements, adding new dimensions to the sport’s technical foundations. They formed the first ever Kendama Pro Team and signature Pro Models with Colin Sander, Zack Yourd, and Turner Thorne. While traditional Kendamas in Japan adhered to strict shape standards and single-color tamas, Kendama USA began expanding these boundaries, pioneering innovations in shape, wood types, paint finishes, and fresh designs to improve style and playability.
With Kendama’s evolution into an international sport, Kendama USA proudly contributes to its growth through various initiatives. These include promotional trips to every continent except Antarctica (so far), support for nearly every major Kendama contest and event worldwide, sponsorship of top players, and the donation of tens of thousands of Kendamas to schools and organizations dedicated to promoting the game.
Who we are
Kendama USA is a family of Kendama players who are passionate about this game. After falling in love with Kendama ourselves during a trip to Japan, we were determined to share it with the world, and we’ve been doing exactly that since 2006. We are the first Kendama brand started outside of Japan, and America’s original Kendama manufacturer.
We’ve contributed to the global dama community for over 2 decades by hosting and supporting events, contests, tours, educational programs, and by sponsoring the world’s top players. Our team has participated and made it to the finals in every Kendama World Cup event, and has won this world championship multiple times. We are proud to produce the highest quality Kendamas available, and to operate America’s top commercial woodworking facility dedicated exclusively to this game. Kendama USA has always been owned and operated by players, for players.
Simply put, Kendama is what we do.
