My understanding is that an official spec change would require the factory to be re-audited to confirm that the kendama meets whatever approved design is on file. One other possibility, though likely quite rare, is that parts were reshuffled after they left the factory. Ozora bags are taped shut so are easily opened and resealed. We've had kendama (from a variety of makers) that for whatever reason we've had to change up; most often due to a weird part. Latest was a poorly drilled sarado, pulled the bad one put on a good one sealed it up and sent it on. The bad one is actually one of my daily jammers now after partially filing the sarado hole with wood putty to get it back into round.
I got this in Japan a couple of years ago, but I still don’t actually know what it is. I heard it is a new Ozora but am unsure, and secondly did these ever get JKA approved? The base text on the seal matches the symbols for JKA, but the top section is not the same as the recommended seals
It appears to be similar to this seal but usually different colors usually mean different manufacturers but not always with that style of seal. It is a "special recommended/approved" (tokubetsu suishō) seal as far as I can tell; not a "certified" (nintei) seal. If the JKA is sticking to the color schemes on these too then it looks like yours might also be made by Yamagata Koubou (makers of the Ozora). Here's a shot of their ebony Ozora with the same seal (left). Ebony (left) has a tokubetsu suishō (special recommended/approved) seal. Taisei (right) have suishō (recommended) seals Edited with updated info: From what I have heard back from the JKA the suishō (recommended) kendama are tested for durability similar to the nintei (official/certified) since they may be used in limited testing (up through Junshodan) etc. The tokubetsu suishō is a seal is given to kendama that are works of art or mementos or gifts and are not tested for durability. They are treated just like suishō as far as JKA level testing etc. Also unlike the regular nintei and suishō seals the tokubetsu suishō seal is not color coded to a specific company. The different designs and colors were just variations created over time. The 40th Anniversary seal is also considered a tokubetsu suishō with the same rules applied as the suishō seal kendama.
I saw these sweet new Ozora colour ways on the JKA stories earlier. Looks like they were holding a tournament in the shopping centre opposite my brother and sister in laws house :-(
They're boxed so probably Premium paint not regular glossy. Generally bagged kendama are "plain" Ozora boxed are specialty kendama.
Not surprising, as of late they've been doing a fair number of "sprint runs" in different colors and unusual options. It can be hard to keep up sometimes.
Got my second Tk-16 today, a red. A bit confused, though, because it seems like the ken is totally different from my other Tk, was thinner in every way. Check it out
Saw those too, interesting naming on them but I'm looking forward to checking the measurements vs the current crop of big cup kendama.
@htimSxelA @goenKendama are these new Ozora going to be JKA or are they something cooked up by Gloken and Yamagata Kobou?
Could be wrong, but I heard that the last model of JKA TKs had taken the shape of OG mugens, which explains the difference in shape. Not an expert though
Interesting, it seems like th natty has a ken that is more similar to other TK's that I have seen in pictures and videos.
That wasn't the case. From the head of Tamiwa (the maker of the TK16) it was described as an unintentional release of incorrect designed/shaped kendama that ended up being labeled with the standard green TK16 seal. The rumor mill around the time of KWC that year came up with the Mugen connection. Pretty sure it was Yamagata Koubou. They've been hinting at them for a while and even had some Taisei with Premium painted tama at a few events to get feedback. I believe they are suishō (recommended) seals however like the Taisei. @Carlos Habbenero yours actually looks like it might have been closer in shape to the original TKs perhaps a long lost cousin compared to the Mutant. From the linked post above here are some shots of the Mutant.
It’s a JKA. I would guess YK cannot work with gloken, or the JKA would pull their certification Mutant TKs are kaizen 1.0 shape btw, they’re spot on. @Rob @goenKendama
I'm not sure the entirety of the JKA has drawn up a picket line regarding Gloken. There are likely still connections there though perhaps not as vocal as some less pleased members. On the Mutant: interesting, I think I've got an old Kaizen somewhere I could compare. With a lot of the brands being produced by a few manufacturers I wouldn't be that surprised.