Kendama Help

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Kendama Help

COPYRIGHT Kendama-World 2011
A collection of frequently asked questions about looking after your kendama. This resource will be added to. If you have any questions you would like answered here please contact us!

How to maintain your kendama
My kendama has come loose!
How to glue your kendama
Why is my kendama string stiff?
My kendama has chipped!
Kendama parts
Which kendama are "Competition" kendama?

How to maintain your kendama
It is very important to ensure your kendama is tightly fixed and that the string is in good condition. Kendama should not be used by young children because they can come apart during play and break objects or cause injury including broken teeth. Please play with care.

Make sure the kendama string is not worn or frayed. The string will wear out over time. Please replace your string regularly.

Note that on some kendama models the string is ONLY held on the kendama by the tightness of the joint between the crosspiece and the stem. So it is vital that this tightness be maintained. Routinely check that the crosspiece is firmly fixed to the kendama stem. If it is loose, please follow the guide given in "My kendama has come loose" below to tighten the crosspiece onto the stick.

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My kendama has come loose!

On a traditionally constructed kendama there are no glued parts. The pieces push together.

If your kendama cross piece becomes loose, you should fit it back on to your kendama using the following procedure:

1. Put the ball on the spike.
2. Ensure the string is not tangled at all.
3. Place the kendama vertically on a firm surface.
4. Rest a magazine or something similar on the ball to protect it.
5. Give the ball a sharp tap with a hammer or other similar weighty object. Not too hard! Just a firm tap to complete the joint.

There may be a small sound coming from the kendama which is normal. This is the sound of the two pieces of wood being squeezed together.

There is very little chance of damaging any parts if done in this way but you must do this at your own risk.

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How to glue your kendama
In competition play many players like to ensure that nothing comes loose on a kendama. You can achieve this using a drop of superglue. With the kendama assembled with the crosspiece nice and tightly fitted using the procedure described above, place one drop of superglue on the joint between the crosspiece and the stem. It is best to use the opposite side to the hole. This will keep everything together during even the wildest moves!

If you want to change the kendama string or ball it is easy to break the Super Glue seal and take the kendama apart.

It is NOT recommended to use a wood glue or PVA type glue to fix your kendama. Wood glue is absorbed by the wood and forms a more permanent bond, and will not come apart easily. It is more likely to cause the wood to splinter.
Again, if you choose to glue your kendama you do so at your own risk.

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Why is my kendama string stiff?
This is normal! It is not a fault. The strings used on kendama vary by make, but traditional competition kendama strings are made of a slightly stiff often flattened white thread. I think this is because the stiffness helps you better perform tricks with the kendama and is also less prone to tangles.

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My kendama has chipped!
It is common for a kendama to chip during play. The wood may break along the grain, especially around the cups of the kendama. This does not mean you have a faulty kendama! Wood is a natural material is not of uniform strength; breaks may occur due to many factors such as humidity, heat, and usage.

If your kendama has a chip or split, where a piece of wood has broken from the kendama, then a strong repair can easily be made using some good quality wood glue. The white PVA type is very effective and will bond the wood back together. Some tape can be used to hold the piece of wood in place whilst it glues. If the break is along the grain then the repair should be almost invisible and will be as strong as the natural wood.

Of course, if you want an (almost) unbreakable kendama then you could buy a plastic model!

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Kendama parts
Traditional kendama are made from wood (usually beech) and consist of five parts, namely:

The ken or stick
The crosspiece or cup body
The ball or tama
The string
The bead

The pointed end of the ken is called the spike or point (kensaki) and is used for catching the ball. The cup on the base of the ken is the center cup (chuuzara). The crosspiece has a cup at each end: the small cup (kozara) and the big cup (oozara).

The ball (tama) has a hole drilled part-way through it on which to catch the ball on the spike. The edge of the hole is deliberately beveled (chamfered) to a larger diameter to make it easier to catch the ball on the spike.
On traditional kendama the ken and crosspiece are not glued in place. This is so you can easily take the crosspiece from the ken to replace the string. It also allows you to convert the kendama to left handed use.

Kendama string is usually around 38 centimeters long, or less for junior players. The longer the string, the more difficult tricks become.

The Ball diameter varies but is typically about 60mm in diameter on a standard sized kendama. Wood is a natural material and the weight will vary, the ball can be as light as 50g to over 75g. The paint used and the finish of the ball affects the slipperiness of the ball. Some experienced players prefer particular kendama models because of the perceived differences in how the ball behaves during play. Some players describe some models as being more 'sticky'.
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Which kendama are "Competition" kendama?

Traditionally, the only kendama considered true 'competition standard' kendama were those endorsed by the Japanese Kendama Association (or JKA). These include the TK16 Master, Shin Fuji, Mugen and Sakura. JKA Approved competition kendama carry a special JKA logo on the stem of the kendama. JKA Approved kendama are the only models that can be used in JKA kendama competitions (held in Japan), and they conform to criteria set by the JKA for weight, shape, finish etc. Note that the kendama awarded JKA approved status change over time as new models are introduced and old models are no longer made.

The world of kendama is evolving rapidly and we are seeing the establishment of new National Kendama Associations, such as the British Kendama Association and the European Kendama Association. These new organisations are sanctioning their own designs and makes of kendama, and introducing their own logos on the stem of the approved kendama. So the answer to the question of which kendama are true competition kendama now also depends on which country the competition is being held in, and the rules of the competition organisers. For example, the competition rules of the British Kendama Association for the European Kendama Open 2011 state that the "All tricks must be performed with a JKA-sanctioned or EKA-sanctioned kendama." (source: BKA Web Site http://kendama.tlmb.net/EKO2011.html July 2011).

At the time of writing, if in doubt buy a JKA Approved kendama if you want a competition standard kendama.

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