Kendama

What is a kendama?

A kendama is a toy originally from Japan. It is designed to test your dexterity. It consists of a wooden handle with two cups and a spike, with a ball attached by a thin string. The part without the ball is called the ‘ken’. The ball is called the ‘tama’. The part of the ken with the cups and spike is called the sara.

You try to catch the ball in one of the cups in a unique and challenging way. It came to Europe as a drinking game in the 18th century (you had to drink if you couldn't catch the ball). Then, in 1920, Hamaji Egusa obtained a patent to make the toy more popular and ensure its quality for competitions.

It has now become so popular that professional competitions are also held here in Europe and the US to find out who the true kendama masters are. Our online store only sells official kendamas that can be used in these competitions. Our range includes kendamas for both beginners and advanced players.

The ken

The ken is the part you hold. It’s large enough to try out different grips, and you can, for example, switch hands. A regular, unpainted kendama is called a ‘natty’, derived from the English word ‘natural’. We sell kendamas in various types of wood and with different designs.

The tama

The tama is the ball of the kendama. Since it’s attached with a thin string, you can perform all kinds of tricks with it. It’s flexible enough to change direction easily and light enough to keep practicing. Everyone has their own preferred setup. For example, you can adjust the length or thickness of the string. These kendamas are then called a ‘setup’.

The sara

The sara is the part of the kendama that contains the two cups and the spike. When not in use, you can rest the ball on the spike so it stays in place. The two cups add variety to your skill practice because one is large and the other is small. Try coming up with fun tricks and practicing them until you get them right.

Which Speedcube kendama will you choose?

Our webshop has a wide range of kendamas. At Speedcube, you can buy a kendama that’s suitable for beginners or one for more experienced players. Either way, they’re easy to clean and made from durable materials. So you can play for many hours before needing a new one. If you’re new to the hobby, you could consider a Sweets Starter, for example. You can choose whichever color you like.

The other products feature various beautiful designs on the ball, such as the Sweets Kendama Franky Morales and the Sweets Kendama Christian Fraser Synthwave.

Kendama is for all ages

Kendama is for young and old. It’s a popular toy among children because it remains a challenge. You can decide for yourself how difficult to make it. Its beautiful design makes it something they’ll keep coming back to play with. Take the Krom kendamas, for example.

For older people, it’s also fun because you can train your dexterity with it. While someone else might go for a walk to clear their head, you can also use a kendama to take a break. You need to concentrate fully to catch the ball in the cup. This helps improve your hand-eye coordination and gives you a chance to switch off for a while.

Order your kendama today and practise your tricks

At Speedcube, you benefit from fast delivery times. If you order today before 23:30, your kendama will arrive tomorrow, ready for you to practice your tricks. We have enough stock to ship immediately, so you’ll never have to wait long for your Kendama USA to arrive at home. Take a look at the selection, read the descriptions, and choose the one you like best. Orders over € 50 even qualify for free shipping.