Ache and pain means the same to me. But like I said. the sensation manifest when I push on the area right below the pinky finger. I don't feel any otherwise. I'm guessing/thinking it's a sore muscle. And if I'm not imagining, the sore is becoming less pronounce and more tolerable as I write this reply. I would like to continue Moshi Kame and see what happens. On a different note - I told a teacher friend who lent me the Shinfuji Keyaki/Cherry kendama kinds are not being manufactured anymore because keyaki is now rare or something and suggested they take care of their Shinfujis. I hope my understanding is right and my suggestion is worthwhile. I was incidentally asked to introduce Kendama to their nihongo club. I'm not sure if I'm up to it. Everything I know is through DS - reading and knowing then sharing is tall order for me. I'd be lying if I said I was not interested and excited with the thought. It's just a thought now - let's where this goes a few months from now. Cheers,
@bencan Ah, Ok. For me ache is after you exercise too much and you ache or are sore for a few days. Pain is whacking your head with the tama; today it's pain but tomorrow it might still ache. Hope you start feeling less of whatever we call it. The JKA Shinfuji models have been discontinued. Keyaki wood is still available but not in Shinfuji configuration. The company still makes kendama but a slightly different shape that is not JKA certified. It's called Minna no Kendama. I have a couple of Shinfuji saved back for a rainy day but some prefer to "destroy all damas" so it's up to the individual. Good to hear about you helping to spread kendama. You'll be fine, just start slow and change how quickly you teach new tricks based on how well the guys play; some will learn quicker that others.
Are you supposed to spike out of moshikame? If so, what’s the best way to spike in the sera grip? I’m only about a week in with Kendama so definitely still learning, and spiking from a cup isn’t something I’m great at even in ken grip yet, let alone sera lol. (Noob.. I know!)
Also the official JKA way to start is to place the tama in the big cup and begin from there. No pull-up required. Also, particularly for higher counts, most players use a stringless kendama so they don't get tangled up. Each cup landing counts as "1" rather than the combo big cup - base cup counting as "1." Hope I didn't just confuse things.
Nope, you didn’t confuse me at all. Thanks for the clarification! I’ll have to look up the JKA rules.