After getting a hold of the Kiwami and inspecting the packaging for a bit, i learnt that the actual name is Meijin Kiwami, roughly meaning "greatest master" (an interesting choice, given what the TKs were known as), and that it belongs to a company called Kashimaya.
Yes Kashimaya is now handling the shape formerly known as the TK16 Master and they are produced in the same factory as TK16 before using the same methods and materials. They initially renamed that kendama shape to Meijin Kiwami (名人極) as you mentioned but the most recent versions have a new package and name. The new name is Meijin Takumi (名人匠) which roughly translates to Master Craftsman, Master Artist. The current versions also have the new hologram JKA seals.
You've got a point. I'll have to check when the next batch arrives but I've been told it's all the same as before (as in TK16 specs)
Not yet. They are releasing colors a bit slowly right now but I've sent your request to the manufacturer. Currently only Red, Blue, and Pink are available.
@Stuart Barron A follow-up for you, just got a couple of cartons and they all appear to be Birch. Some just have more defined tree rings in the grain.
I'm kind of digging the blue one since it matches the new JKA Meijin Takumi seal; snagged one for myself.
Ok because Amazon said it was like a Yamagata Kobo and I couldn't find anything online about it. Thanks for help @htimSxelA I'm going to go order it then!! I'm still pretty new to kendama especially the JKA
When your the only person who plays within a 3 hour drive you gotta make sure you bring the hard core indestructible ones. That LBB and TK16 get a lot of newbies(newer than me even) so that take a lot of abuse and still keep on jamming hard. It seems everyone really likes the krom pop or the pills though @Congarranza