Kendama is a classic Japanese toy, which first circulated in 1777 in Nagasaki. It is a simple, interactive, and productive toy that strengthens physical and mental skills during play. In today’s world, which is full of toys bombarded with computers, flashy lights, and mainstream entertainment, Kendama stands out due to its simple design and engaging ways of having fun.
It consists of a handle (Ken) and a ball (Tama) that are connected by a string. The toy is played by tossing the ball and catching it in one of the three cups attached to the body or the point of the stick. There are a nearly infinite amount of ways of playing with a kendama with different levels of difficulty.
While it is quite a challenging toy, many enthusiasts have developed an immense interest in this fun hobby. If you’re one of those and looking to buy a great kendama online, these top picks should end your hunt.
Things to Consider When Buying a Kendama Online
Kendamas have evolved over the years, and many different designs have surfaced to satisfy various users. Since most of the available kendamas usually appear the same when it comes to style and shape, it can be a little tedious to determine if you have chosen the right one.
You should consider the following points when buying a kendama online in order to get only the premium piece that matches your playing style and level of experience.
Weight
The weight of a kendama depicts the amount of ease you will have in getting the hang of the game. A kendama which is fairly lightweight is often considered ideal for beginners as they are much convenient to maneuver. You can ascend to heavier options as you improve with tricks and skills.
Size
As far as concerned kendamas are concerned, the smaller the toy is, the effortless it is to perform with it. Its smaller versions feature shorter strings, which tether its ball to the body, giving a shorter range of motion to its users for working with it. For the novice, this can comprehend as a difference between expertness and giving up a kendama completely.
If you are slightly on the more expert side, a bigger-sized kendama can provide you greater chances of tricks and better control.
Aesthetics & Paint
Some hobbyists buy these toys for their aesthetic appeal, while others still opt for intricate designs as it makes the whole playing process a greater visual experience.
For a lot of pro users, the more detailed or intricate the paint or design is on the kendama, the more enjoyable it becomes to watch them in action. However, for beginners, striking, bold designs can become a little confusing, particularly if you are just starting to learn the play. It would be preferable for the novice to buy solid, single-colored kendamas to keep the confusion at bay and learn how to play easily.
Material
Kendamas are made from several materials such as wood, plastic, or metal, with each having its own pros and cons. When buying a kendama online, you should consider:
Type of Wood
The type of wood not only contributes in the durability of a kendama but to its performance as well. Some of the types of woods used in the making of a kendama are:
- Ash wood: An expensive material that has average density and good durability. It has s smooth and wide grain. This wood is perfect for a superb performance.
- Cherry: Lightweight and expensive, cherry wood features below-average durability. This type of wood offers a very soft feel during playing.
- Beech wood: An affordable and most popular type of wood used for manufacturing kendamas. It is inexpensive, average weight, and durable wood.
- Oak: Features very strong cross grains similar to beech wood. Oak is responsible for a tough feel during playing.
- Maple: Maple is everyone’s favorite when it comes to kendamas. It is highly durable and super light. This is the reason most professional kendama players opt for it for their competitions.
Plastic Material
Plastic material has also become popular to create kendamas. It offers durability, high density, and robustness to this toy. Plus, it makes the toy lightweight and is affordable as well.
Best Kendama Online
Nowadays, kendama is a trendy toy among kids and youngsters. It is addicting, challenging, and overall enjoyable. The good thing is that it is quite reasonable and doesn’t need any electricity, batteries or internet to play. All you need is some practice to learn the basic skills, and soon the tricks that seemed impossible become attainable. Let us take a look at some of the best kendamas available:
Sweets Kendamas Prime Sport Stripe Kendama
Sweets Kendamas is a known brand for manufacturing high-quality, world-class kendamas, and Prime Sport Stripe Kendama is no exception. Inexpensive, robust, and comfortable, this kendama features a racing-themed design that is surely going to catch the attention of kids and teenagers. It is made from high-quality beech wood that imparts robustness and steadiness to the product. The two-piece wood cup and the spike is suitable for both left and right-handed players. The manufacturer has included the refined ken shape that can accommodate both beginner and advanced level players. Moreover, the sport stripe paint boasts excellent tack that can help beginners in learning the basics faster and experienced in landing advanced tricks pretty quickly. Besides that, you don’t have to worry about its chipping off as it doesn’t flake off with time. What’s more? The Prime Sport Stripe Kendma includes an instruction guide that can help you learn basic tricks and progress accordingly. Overall, Sweets Kendamas is a trusted brand that can be relied upon when buying a kendama online, and this model is a great option.
CANSHOW Kendama Maple Wood Toy
In case you’re looking for a high-quality kendama online for advanced level playing, then we recommend the CANSHOW Kendama Maple Wood Toy. Being a deluxe pro model, this kendama is created for master and professional level players, but the novice can enjoy playing with this pleasant-looking toy as well. As the name indicates, the toy is built from maple wood, and you can expect it to be highly durable and very lightweight. The rubber-painted ball makes it tackier, grippier, and durably incarnated compared to other paint types. Basically, the rubber-painted ball is the highlight of this product. While playing, you will see that its handle is very stable. This gives you confidence when performing tricks. Moreover, the cup is impressively deep, which enhances the playability of this toy. It has a size of 2.8 x 2.4 x 1.7 inches. All in all, the CANSHOW Kendama Maple Wood Toy is stylish, durable, and suitable for advanced and beginner-level players.
2-Pack KENDAMA TOY CO.
These ornately colored, durable kendamas by KENDAMA TOY CO. are the perfect design to turn skeptical kids into the fad. The product is fit for two or more kids. Manufactured from eco friendly bamboo wood, this product is lightweight and durable, with no fear of chipping. Bamboo wood is being preferred by many companies to manufacture kendamas as it is lightweight and durable. And 2 Pack KENDAMA TOY CO. doesn’t disappoint for being durable and comfortable. With a weight of 1.5 ounces and a height of 4.5 inches, this is a mini kendama with a lighter weight that is perfect for honing skills and increasing challenge. In a nutshell, this pack of two by KENDAMA TOY CO. is a great product with a comfortable and well-balanced body and an attractive design. Plus, you get two durable kendamas at a price of one. So a win-win!
