Downspike
Kendama Entertainment Network

A community for the balanced lifestyle.

Beginner Resources!

Discussion in 'Beginners' started by Cheech_Sander, Jan 20, 2017.

  1. Cheech_Sander

    Cheech_Sander Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2016
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    There are a lot of helpful threads in here, but I wanted to make one pinned post for people who just picked up their first kendama! By the end of this thread, you might not have whirlwind-tap-tap-tap-lunar-tre-yank-spike down, but you'll at least know enough about kendama to know how to play it!


    What is Kendama?
    Kendama is a kind of toy that has long enjoyed popularity in Japan among both children and adults. While it may appear simple at first glance, kendama is a deep game with more than 1,000 different techniques for players to try to master. It can be played anywhere and by anyone, both men and women, young and old. The game is said to be helpful in developing concentration and perseverance.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendama


    Parts of a Kendama:



    Beginner Tutorials:









    @goenKendama has posted a lot of helpful things on here, and they have some detailed intros on their site:
    http://goenkendama.com/start-playing-an-intro-into-kendama-play/




    And one last piece of beginner advice:
    BEND YOUR KNEES!


    Feel free to add more beginner resources below!
     
    Jan 20, 2017
    Avry K, htimSxelA, Almostgets and 2 others like this.
  2. Mr.Bishop

    Mr.Bishop Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2016
    As someone who tried their first Kendama trick after signing up for these boards I can tell you that bending your knees is almost the only thing you need to know to land your first trick. Literally almost don't work on anything else until you have learned to bend your knees on the pull up and the landing.

    Without this - anything else you try is worthless.

    Thanks to the Downspike community for helping me start to land tricks - you guys are amazing!
     
    Jan 20, 2017
    Kiyoshikame, KirStylez, amor and 3 others like this.
  3. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    Thank you for making this sticky. Here are some posts we've put up for new players in particular but might also have a tip or two for people who have played a while.

    Check Here:
    How to pick your first kendama
    What to do with your first kendama
    Start playing: An intro into kendama play
    JKA Kyu Level Waza
    Kendama Bumpers™ & Other Tweaks
    Kendama Comparisons
    How to Make a Kendama Noose
    Déjà vu, Beginner Again
    Shades of Grain

    Also check out the new (2019) JKA (Japan Kendama Association) English site.



    Looking for a new kendama, check here.
    Cheap, Inexpensive, Budget, Price, Good Quality, $30, $40 Tacky, Sticky, Natty, Premium: LINKS




    How to make a Kendama Noose (rope kendama rack).
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2020
    Jan 20, 2017
    Dæmon and htimSxelA like this.
  4. magicdamadude

    magicdamadude Honed Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2016
    Location:
    Huntington, WV
    Hey I put this together the other day. It's a playlist filled with tutorials and ladders from numerous sources (KUSA, Sweets, YoTricks, etc.). There is enough material in this playlist to keep you busy for a long time. I posted this in The Sesh but I wanted to tag it here too.

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?li...9dSem8CLwI&jct=e-2eqkiuiUfLdd7l60-CPGgr8pNqww

    If anyone finds any tutorials not in the list that should be, you can add it yourself or let me know and I can do it. Those with the link have access to add new videos, too.

    Hope this helps my fellow newbies.
     
    Feb 26, 2017
    Congarranza and goenKendama like this.
  5. keebler

    keebler n00b

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2018
    Location:
    Mississippi, USA
    KNEES!
     
    Dec 9, 2018
  6. EZA

    EZA n00b

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2020
    Location:
    Toronto
    Wow amazing !
     
    Feb 23, 2020
  7. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    Welcome to the boards. There's a lot of info here but sometimes the Search function is a bit wonky. If you have questions you can't find answers for feel free to let us know.
     
    Feb 23, 2020
  8. Rusca

    Rusca n00b

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2020
    Hey, I just finished writing this study of the trick notation, which has all the tricks and modifiers I could think of, with definitions for each one.
    Hope it helps!

    www.davidrusca.com/ktn
     
    Jun 12, 2020
    goenKendama likes this.
  9. goenKendama

    goenKendama Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
    Location:
    Metro Manila, Philippines
    Hey awesome contribution and look forward to having you around the boards.
     
    Jun 12, 2020
    Rusca likes this.