Hey guys, While downspiking my assoff everyday, I've been pondering on a bunch of noob questions. I hope you guys find the time to throw some cents my way whenever you float by. First, I have been wondering why so many kendama players come from the skateboard community... I can understand motion-based skills and sports crossing over, but it still baffles me that so much skilltoy vocab comes from skating, all the way down to the begleri. Second, a two-step question, I was wondering what path most of you took that led you to the kendama (ie. skateboard, some other skillcraft, nothing in particular,...). and also what other skilltoys/sports the kendama guided you to. I come from the begleri, which led me to the knucklebone/knuckleroller, and quite beautifully to the kendama (that had been there all along for years...) Go figure. I'm also curious about what practicing the kendama has taught you that you can now adapt to other types of learning. It truly is a great art, with an amazing amount of possibilities. I'm still mindblown. My dad is visiting for a month... watched me downspike and open kendama carepackages all week long, didn't give a tiny fart. This morning I got fed up of his seemingly bored-to-death look while I'm slaying, so I forced him to standup and learn the basics. 30 minutes later he was stealing my freshly kenditionned walnut GT-E1 and practicing in secret in the other room. Still makes me crack a smile. I told him my GF could airplane-Jstick-fasthand-downspike with her eyes closed (not a chance lol) so I know he's gonna be racking in hours everyday in secret. Cracks me up.
I had been yoyoing since 2008, and had bought a cheap kendama around 2012, but it was more just for novelty. Eventually this past April I got more into it, and have been hooked since! The focus and dexterity required really speaks to me, and I notice a lot of cross over between the skills needed to be successful at kendama and the skills required for Tae-Kwon-Do which I have been studying since 1997. Long story short, I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon.
I didn't come from a skateboarding background but I think the main reason is that kendama gives you the same satisfaction as far as landing tricks with a much less of a risk to the person. That's the most logical thing I could see it. Kendama and other skilltoys are something they can play around with when they're not shredding it up on the park. It's not just skateboarding though. Snowboarding, skiing, and bmx just to name a few extreme sports but not limited to. I was introduced to kendama by my friend during university. Our bookstore sells a university "brand" kendama and so I decided to try it out. The summer after I began working at a youth camp and some of my co-workers are big into it which inspired me to get into it even more. P.S. I kinda struggled to follow along your initial post from the title to the random rant... That's just me though. Also, maybe just keep in mind about how you type as kids are going to be reading this as well. Much love brother and keep discovering the little joys of kendama!
@beglerijapan have a look here: Exploring Skate Tricks in Kendama Other Skill Toys? Pre-Kendama Passions? Other hobbies that help you dama Attitude Adjustment What has Kendama Helped you Conquer? There was a discussion somewhere about a number of OG players and their path to kendama coming from skate and ski communities hence a lot of similar jargon but I can't seem to find it now. Maybe @htimSxelA or @Cheech_Sander remember where that was.
I found out about kendama thru bmx and bmx culture, a big part was the homie reed stark somebody who I love on a bike started advocating for it so I picked up a bamboo toysmith and been playing for a few months now.
hey bro, thanks for the input, edited for the kids potentially reading after church The title was just a pun on Ash.
That’s really interesting to hear that kendama comes from all different sports! Personally i have a passion for skiing and i was introduced to kendama originally by a from from my local mountain. Didn’t think much of it for a couple years until a coworker got me hooked a couple years ago. Now when i’m not skiing, i’m seshin my dama. landing tricks gives you the same rush with both of them, and that’s what keeps you hooked
Me and a friend of mine went to a local skate spot 2-3 years ago and some other guy with rollerblades was also there. We had a quick sesh and while we were chilling that other guy took a kendama out of his backpack and started playing. I have to admit it looked really dumb. He gave it to me and said to give it a try. I can't really remember if I managed to get the tama on the big up but definitely remember that he was doing moshikames. After a couple tries or something like that I gave it back to him and that was pretty much it. One year ago I went to a local supermarket and saw the diabolo and it somehow reminded me of that wooden toy back then but I couldn't figure what it was called. Once it came to my mind I started looking for one and luckily enough I found it. Wasn't in a box it was in a net, slippery paint.. all over a $2 kendama but I never knew what it should look like cause I haven't seen one except for 2 years ago and yeah I loved it. Spiked it first try and the journey has began. I've always been into skilltoys but never took them seriously untill kendama happened. The history, the philosophy, the community and pretty much everything about kendama is simply amazing. I don't really think I will stop playing and spreading the word anytime soon!