During the JKA 40th event they were allowed to be used. I'm not sure about other contests outside of that. I feel like the answer is probably 'no' for the larger, more legit JKA contests (not that the 40th wasn't legit, but its where these damas were released, so its different in that sense) Spotted this online today, Taka from Spingear in Tokyo posted it like a month ago, and somehow no one in the dama scene really noticed? Meijin kendama is the name of the model, it is basically picking up where TK16 left off. Shape looks the same, and as I understand it, they'll be utilizing the same production facility. Soo its kinda like a TK16 with a new name? The photo kinda sucks, but the Japanese businessman I met at Toy Fair who was working on this project said they were likely getting a blue sticker. Looks... sorta blue? Hmm
Wow I just re-read an earlier page in this thread and noticed @Stuart Barron posted a twitter link to the photo above, AND I commented on it. lol Oh well, I guess if nothing else the photo is posted in thread now, no external links required
I too just picked up an OG red Tk-16. I think it's my 5th. I have the first one ever still, and one that's kind of been hybridized. the rest i gave away or lost
Gonna be in Tokyo in a few weeks, hope to stock up some red JKAs for my cupboard! TKs, especially. And i'm really interested to try out Hakushinsha, despite them no longer being a JKA kendama.
The Shinfuji they made is still JKA certified and they're still available around here. The also make Minna no Kendama, Shokendama, and "Folk" kendama that aren't JKA certified but are still worth checking out. They also have a really cool wooden top that looks like Mt. Fuji when you spin it. They won some awards for that one.
Most likely grabbing a Shin Fuji for collection purposes. Minna no kendama is the new product they made. Saw them prepping a new purple color tama that looks oh-so-delish!
@azleonhart If you can't find what you want in a shop check Amazon.co.jp they usually have a good selection.
I just got hold of a few Taisei kendama from the Ozora guys. They're just wild. Rough measure: 48mm big cup; 44mm small cup; 37mm base cup
Taisei is the name eh? They are crazy indeed, got to spend a few days playing one a week or two ago. Felt less 'solid' to me, probably cause the cup rims are so thin, so it didn't feel as playable as a more standard shape. Just straight up catching the tama in the cup was super super easy though, as I'm sure the designers intended
They seem fond of names with "big" and/or "sky" related words/characters. I've not played them yet since I'm a bit behind everywhere after coming to Manila and attending an event over the weekend. They look a bit like the Dumbo equivalent (big ears) in kendama to me. The base cup rim also looks thicker so maybe they'll not chip as a normal kendama tend to. Landing stalls will probably be about like on a Catchy Street; i.e. a bit odd.
Honestly, my impression was that it may be a little more susceptible to chipping, since the cup rims are so much thinner. I wasn't really trying high impact tricks so I didn't give it a full test I guess. You're right about the stalls though... stilt flip was super weird on it with the tiny ridge to land on. Birds were interesting too. Lunars it seemed tougher to keep them clean I guess? I dunno... it seems past the point of 'all around playability'. I think it has great merit as an intro kendama though.
I am impressed just that a Japanese company with a JKA seal (even though this one is "recommend" and not actually official) is trying out and releasing a radically changed shape! I would love to give it a real workout.
Yea it's interesting, I would think that some of the more mainstream "non-traditional" companies would be doing stuff like this, but it's a Japanese company that pulls out something like this.
I mean, to be fair, while this one looks weirder, I imagine it was created in response to the ever-increasing cup size of non-JKA damas.