So I have heard that once upon a time Kendama was actually a sort of drinking game in Japan. Now I'm not sure if this is historically accurate but nonetheless my few kendama buddies and I have become quite fond of our version of the kendama drinking game. These are the rules that we have come up with so far. Each player writes down 12 tricks they believe they can land within three attempts on a sheet of paper and then cuts these tricks into slips of paper to be put into a cup, or a hat, or whatever you want really. The main point here is for each player to write out tricks they believe reflect their own skill level, and each player will only draw from their trick pool. Once each person writes out their trick list you determine who goes first...you can do all sorts of things to determine who goes first but we usually see who is the last to land a certain agreed upon trick...usually airplane or j stick. Whoever lands it last goes first and then you go clockwise from there. The first person draws from their trick pool and then has three attempts to land that particular trick...if they do not land it the trick goes back in the pool and they have to take a drink of their chosen beverage. If the player lands their trick it is the end of their turn and that trick slip is placed to the side. Once a player has completed their trick pool they then put all of their tricks back into their pool and then draw two tricks each turn instead of one. They are then given 4 chances to land both tricks in the exact order the tricks were pulled (turnovers and switch grips are allowed between each trick but only if it is required to land that certain combo.) Once their two trick pool is completed they then put all their tricks back in and are given 5 tries to land three tricks and so on until all parties agree they are too drunk to continue or run out of alcohol. Tell me what you think of this particular game, or if you have rules to your own game. PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY!!!
How about an earth turn endurance challenge? For each turn you miss, one shot glass of beer. Keep going till you can't even... Ok that's evil.
well it's like beer pong in 17-18 century japan where catching make other drink or you do if you miss. got this from @Jake Wiens. still can't remember accurately if that's the actual stuff
The good old gauntlet: line up a bunch of kendamas of various sizes / styles. Pick a trick, work through the lineup. Keep on trying until you land it on each dama. Drink for each miss
I like this idea...micro to mini to normal to LBB to viking to jumbo. Would you say micro is the hardest?
I seriously wouldn't want to be the owner of the bar that sponsors this game unless I had "accidental breakage" insurance and a credit line with my local mug/tumbler/glassware distributor. A bunch of hammered, wood-on-a-string slinging, 'dama beasts would be pretty hard on anything breakable methinks. Perhaps using these instead would keep the blood flow to a minimum as the broken debris litters the floor, chairs, etc. (You can imagine how old-time Japanese drinking establishments might have gotten away with this endeavor; no glass or pottery. )
We usually tape off an area and make that a no glass zone. We made that mistake so you don't have to. Also if you look on the things you have broken thread you will also know why we have a designated no glass zone.
Too funny. You know someone's going to be thinking, I can land triple moon circle inside these 8' ceilings.
Back in the day the French used the bilboquet as a drinking game. Also, the gauntlet style that @htimSxelA mentioned works well. It also gives you a chance to actually use those different size damas you have. Played a round with Rod, Bonz & Bostch during the first Catch & Flow.
Misread your question first time. . . Had to double check with a friend but it looks like it's 寿 (kotobuki) = congratulations and happiness (google also says "long life") and is used often at weddings.
Interesting, the name of the gold flaked red / blue mugens (the last ones produced) was kotobuki. I didn't know the translation before.