Just to clarify some stuff here, Imada Hiromu might just have let the Kenco slide. He may have just turned a blind eye because that was the only thing your friend had. Probably one of the JKA members who pushes the international aspect a bit more than others. I've never seen string length be an issue, but I suppose some members may be strict about it. Shin Fuji's are okay in comps. Their shape didn't change. Mutant TKs have a different shape, thus technically not being allowed in comps. Check my post in the JKA Kendama thread for more info.
2a. Info on JKA AFAIK, there are no string regulations. Anything with a JKA seal (without the "Recommended" wording) is fine. 2b. How to apply for comps This i am not too sure. You need to keep up with the newsletter and also talk with local slayers. 3. In regards to the JKA exams, you only need to appear at the JKA HQ in Tokyo or at sanctioned events (JKA Festa, to name one) to get yourself certified. It would be advisable to call ahead and make an appointment. When you manage to complete a level (Kyu or Dan), you will be given a temporary certificate which will expire in a year. In order to obtain the actual cert, there is payment needed, and it piles up, the higher the ranking. When beginning, the examiner (in my case) will test your total moshikame count (in 3 tries) to see which Kyu/Dan you may be eligible for. 2 Kyu - 40 1 Kyu - 50 pre-Dan - 100 1 Dan - 200 2 Dan - 300 3 Dan - 500 4 Dan - 1,000 You are allowed multiple kendamas - I used a strung Mugen for the trials and an unstrung Oz for moshikame. When testing for stall tricks (LH, bird, handlestall), you need to hold for 3 seconds, and the examiner will ONLY start counting once he/she feels that the landing is perfectly still and you are not making adjustments of any sort. I make a mental note of counting to 4. It is not required to spike for LH, just holding it is fine. Speaking of adjustments, once you land a stall trick (let's take LH for example), you can't adjust your tama so the hole position is more favorable to spike. Once the ken lands on the tama, you can wiggle a little bit, but in no way can your move the tama with your fingers. They're a pain this way, but it is what it is. If you do intend to get 3 Dan and beyond, this is where the real fun starts - Speed Trick B. There's a thread somewhere here detailing what it is, but if you don't, look it up. There is a time limit to complete STB: 3 Dan - 120 secs 4 Dan - 60 secs 5 Dan - 45 secs You might have noticed that beyond 5 Dan, there are no moshikame requirements. This is because you'll instead be monitored of your involvement with kendama, and your contributions to the game. This one is a whole 'nother can of worms, because the explanations are pretty lengthy. It's quite the post, but i hope it helps.
@azleonhart you can do the moshikame unstrung!?! @htimSxelA @maxdesu I just read the entirety of the JKA convo, and a lot of my questions are answered. I do want to know now tho, other than standard ozoras, what else is on the new retail market that can be used for JKA exams definitely right now?
Most definitely! It's easier for me, since the string does not get in the way. Once you pass a certain number of moshis, concentration is much needed. Oozoras - Standard, Premium, Keyaki, Maple I don't think there's any new damas that are JKA certified, other than the ones above.
This is a great thread! We were thinking of taking a Japan trip later this year and had been wondering if we would be able to take a ranking test while on the trip. So, just to double check, is the minimum time between tests that they have listed only for after you fail a rank? The BKA website mentions that you can test all the way up to 4th Dan in a single day as long as you pass them all but I don't see any mention of that on the JKA site.
In my case, i hit 300 moshikame, so the examiner made me eligible to take 2 Dan. I'd imagine the same for higher rankings, but the fees to get the actual cert will be enormous.
You can test into 1-6 Dan, but 6 has some extra considerations and is tougher to get (eg some of your own tricks that must be sanctioned by the examiners). I don't think any N American / European players have 6 yet, but some of the Mongolian players may? Sweets, Ruisch, and Void have all tried at least 2-3 times each and failed I believe. Fuckin hanging spike 8/10, lol. 7 Dan and 8 Dan are like... honourary lifetime achievement awards, for devoting a lot of time and love to promoting and supporting the game. 9 Dan is awarded to current and past Vice Presidents of the JKA. 10 Dan is current and past presidents of the JKA @Vincent Dimaya yea you definitely want to unstring for the moshi. Make sure you shove the cups down HARD before you start lol. The first time I tested, the sarado fell off like 7 catches in. LOL
There are a bunch of damaheads in Japan who can give you a 10 to 1 Kyu test for free. I'm not sure about who can do it in the kansai area, but here in kanto there is, Shimadera, Nob(430), Akimoto, Su(SuLab). If your going for Dan test, then there is a fee.
A bit OT but you might find this helpful to keep the sarado attached to the ken. We've had good luck with them on regular sized wood and REZ resin kens and the medium and large seem to work well on the jumbos too.
I've heard of people using some paper to shove in there. Papers cheap. Personally I use double sided tape specifically for wood.
@Vincent Dimaya this is the link in the video's description on Youtube but you can try Walgreens, your local drugstore, and some grocery stores in the haircare (where they have brushes, combs, and hair rubber bands).
@goenKendama @Vincent Dimaya @MJ Brother I usually just use a single dot of white school glue. Its enough to hold them on, but not enough to lock them on forever. Though it has been a LONG time since I've done this. A little bit of tape rolled up does the trick too, or the goo that comes on the back of a new credit card.
I tried 6th dan 2 times and did fail on the around cosmos, if you think you are ready the you are not and find out you need to practice not only consistancy but 80% is focus on every detail without thinking, sound already hard isn't it? I know void tried 6-7 times to get 6th dan, and still don't made it, it is kind of magical like foreign players arn't made for it, oh well i prob play kendama for the rest of my life and have enough time to attemp it again If you have any questions that you still want to know i might can help as well , sorry for my late response
For 1-4 Dan, I think moshikame is the hardest part for foreign players. For 5 Dan, speed trick B in under 45 seconds get a little tough. For 6 Dan, the tricks consistency becomes the toughest part for sure. 8/10 around cosmos, 8/10 hanging spike, 8/10 jumping stick.. whew!
Not to mention the pressure. I've seen some Dan tests go down & it's like your being interrogated by the cops.
Use instragram! There are players all over Japan, take a look! Morishin and Tarou should get you started. Yabai is..... not kendama slang lol. I don't think there's alot of kendama slang tbh, at least not that I can think of. People use メイク instead of lace. RKC does a finger point while saying "Trick!" as a celebration (a la my t shirt in my avatar, which is RKC_Tarou), and In kochi we like ヨッチョレ！, but that isn't kendama specific either. Also for what it's worth, I've always been given two tries (and only 2) for moshikame, on 1kyu, Junshodan, 1dan, and 2dan. I've never paid money for a test, although I don't have a certificate. Also probs not important but I believe there are some age restrictions. Shimanson's daughter told me they wouldn't let her take the 5dan test until she became an adult.
Sheesh. Like being in a dark room, with one bright light shining to your face, while a shadowy figure simply sits in the dark, watching your every move, not saying a word.