Kendama

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A kendama (けん玉 or 剣玉 or 拳玉) is a Japanese toy that consists of a hammer-like object with a ball connected to it by a string. The ball (called the tama) has a hole in it, and it rests on a spike (the ken) on the top of the kendama. The two sides of the "hammer" are concave; one is smaller than the other. The larger side is called the oozara (large plate) and the other is the kozara (small plate). There is also a medium sized plate at he bottom of the handle called the chuzara (medium plate).

The basic object is to throw the ball upwards and land it on one of the concave parts of the "hammer", as well as landing the ball on the spike. More advanced techniques involve combination moves, different landing positions and even freestyle combinations.

The French have a similar game of dexterity called bilboquet which was invented in the 16th century.

[edit] In popular culture

• In the video game Tales of Symphonia, the character Genis Sage uses a kendama as a weapon. Random dialogues between him and other characters in the game deal with him showing the others how to play with it as a toy, usually with the unfortunate consequence of hitting his sister Raine in the head with it.

• A kendama is also used as a weapon by Oichi in the game Samurai Warriors.

• A kendama is also used as a weapon by Ginta Toramizu in the manga/anime Marchen Awakens Romance, this kendama is a talking kendama named Babbo.

• A kendama is also carried, and occasionally used as a weapon, by Sarutobi Sasuke in the anime/manga "Samurai Deeper Kyo".

• A kendama is the subject of the Jam Films contribution by Shinohara Tetsuo, "Kendama".

• Shippo has one in Inuyasha that he uses to attack by increasing its size.

• A kendama is the weapon of one of the beaver demihuman siblings, Meroon, in the game Suikoden V. It's called Mallet and Ball in the U.S. version.

• A kendama is given to Himeno in Pretear -The New Legend of Snow White.

• In the "Town" area in We ♥ Katamari, a few kendama can be found in the streeet.

Bilboquet organizations include:

• Balero Players’ Association – International, United States
• Federacion Internacional de Balero Asoceichon, Mexico
• Fédération Internationale de Bilboquet, France
• Japan Kendama Association, Japan

[edit] See also

• Ball in a cup

[edit] External links

• Japan Kendama Association
• The Bilboquet game - Physical simulation
• Balero Players’ Association – International
• Bilboquet: Cup and Ball or Ring and Pin Games