Kendama

Japanese toy · skill sport · hand coordination

What it is. Kendama is a classic toy from Japan made of a wooden handle (called a ken), two cups on the side, and a ball attached by string. The handle has a sharp spike on one end that you try to catch the ball on.

How you play. You hold the handle and toss the ball up into the air, then try to catch it on the spike or land it in one of the cups. It takes practice, timing, and steady hands to pull off cool tricks.

It's worldwide. Kendama is actually the Japanese version of an even older game called bilboquet that came from France. Today, kendama is played all around the world as both a fun pastime and a serious competitive sport.

Tons of tricks. Players can create hundreds of different tricks and combinations by changing how they hold the kendama and the way they toss and catch the ball. Each trick has its own style and difficulty level.

A real sport now. What started as an old-fashioned toy has become an official skill sport with competitions, championships, and players who practice for hours to master incredible stunts.