The JKA has an annual Kendama Painting contest and the first stage deadline is June 7, 2019 (Since Japan time is ahead of the US you should probably send your entry no later than June 6 JST.). Draw or paint your design on the JAPANESE entry form below and submit it to the JKA. (In past events all entries had to be delivered by mail or in person but we are checking to see if a scanned copy may be submitted by email.) ***(We have confirmed with the JKA that submissions may be made via email. Just scan/photograph your original artwork on the entry form below and send to kendamakenkun@kendama.or.jp.)*** Additional Info: The design must be the artist’s original design. It may not be from an anime or manga. The design also cannot be computer designed graphics only hand drawn/applied/written If your 2D design application passes the first stage of the selection process and is accepted by the JKA they will provide ***(see below) a kendama for you to use to create your accepted design upon. Once the painted kendama is submitted the JKA will select up to 20 winners. Winning submissions will be kept by the JKA for display and exhibition. The remaining entries will be returned to the artists. Mailing address: 1-29-4 Kanda Jinbocho Shoukou Building 5th floor, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0051 Japan Print out the JAPANESE form and then paint/draw, and fill in the blanks on that page. The English translation is for reference only. Larger entry form for printing available here. Please fill out the Japanese language form. The English form is for reference only. As I recall out of ~4,000 entrants last year two entrants from the Philippines made it to the finals and one ended up winning his division. So while this is an event held in Japan they have entrants from all over the world. EDIT: If your design is selected for the second stage there is a 1,300 yen charge for them to send a kendama to you on which you will paint the design you previously put on paper. If you are one of the 20 people who pass the final selection you will receive 1,000 yen refund since they will be keeping your painted kendama. Last year for the Philippines we covered the expenses and shipping for the contestants. I'll be checking with the JKA on Monday to see how they would like to handle entries from elsewhere. If I recall correctly others who submitted from overseas sometimes would enter as a "team" and sent several entrants' submissions together. Maybe a DS contingent could send in entries together. I'll post more as soon as I know. 2019 UPDATEs Extended: Stage 1 submission deadline June 14, Friday JST ***** 2020 UPDATE Stage 1 submission deadline August 31, Monday JST ******* 2021 UPDATE Stage 1 (paper) submission deadline 8/20/2021 (Friday JST) ******* 2022 UPDATE Stage 1 (paper) submission deadline 6/10/2022(Friday JST) ************** 2023 UPDATE Stage 1 (paper) submission deadline 6/9/2023(Friday JST) *overseas entries recommended by 6/8/2023 local* 2024 UPDATE Stage 1 paper submission deadline 6/7/2024 (Friday JST) Forms can be found here or on the JKA site here. JKA Online: Facebook, Instagram, Website (English), JKA International Facebook page
Yes that's how the entrants from the Philippines submitted their forms. There are people within the JKA who read and speak English so there shouldn't be a problem.
Here are the designs from the winner and finalist from the Philippines last year. Lex Santos - Winner (high school division) Tin Santos - finalist (adult division)
Added to the first post: ***(We have confirmed with the JKA that submissions may be made via email. Just scan/photograph your original artwork on the entry form below and send to kendamakenkun@kendama.or.jp.)*** They will print out your submissions for the initial judging so make sure they are a clean scan/photo.
Since Japan is ahead of the US time-wise you should probably aim at sending your entries on June 8th. Here are some winners from past years. 2011 2013
It's already June 7th here in Japan. If you're going to send in your entry you're getting close to the deadline (June 9 Japan time).
It's the 9th here in Japan. Send your entry to the JKA at kendamakenkun@kendama.or.jp Make sure it's clear enough for them to print out for the judging. Good luck.
There is still time. . . . . . just heard from the JKA that the deadline for foreign applications has been extended to Wednesday 14th (though they'd prefer it as early as possible).
Looks like the initial selection is over and they're sending the physical kendama to those who passed. Of 3,468 entries they chose 199.
I'm thinking probably not. They are supposed to do the judging next week then they have a big presentation; last time it was in Tokyo.
The winners have been chosen. Out of 3468 entrants who submitted 2D paper designs 188 were selected to create their designs on an actual kendama. The kendama were recently judged and 20 entries made the final cut. Here are some of the designs spanning all age groups.