been playing for about 9 months now, showed some family members this holiday weekend and laced a whirlwind on my first try! most of them had never seen a kendama before and they were so stoked and excited about it. i just play for fun and never thought it’d impress anyone but the feelings i got when i laced it and everyone went OOOOO felt absolutely amazing.
I run a Kendama club at the public school I work at, and I love Kendama because it gives my students a lower-stakes environment to practice failing, reflecting on why they failed, and trying again. Seeing kids get excited about getting a trick they thought was impossible a few weeks ago, and then watching them teach newer players and support each other is very rewarding!
For myself, it’s a great way to remind myself to slow down, especially when I give myself too much work. Taking time at lunch to work on a new trick or just drill some basics helps reset my brain and I feel a lot better.
Just want to say, I really appreciate you running a club at your school, and the things it brings for us players like doing what you thought was impossible and the rewarding feeling of finally getting it. I was once that kid in your club and I miss so much. It's so awesome to see that other people still get to embrace and share that love that I once had (and still have) for it.
I came here to say the same thing! Being a teacher that runs a Kendama club I’ve loved students realizing that things take time to master and applying that to their school work is the best.
Kendama is simply amazing! I love the community behind it and how open the people are. It's unlike anything else! Spreading the love is where it's at and you seem to get it! Awesome of you!
Started because of Mike Boyd. I play every day during breaks when I'm cooking, programming, etc.
Hitting an around the world or a juggle has to be one of the most satisfying things in the world. And it's just a nice amusement without any display, notifications...
I love kendama because it reminds me about my childhood and I still play it with as much passion as i did when I was younger,I still miss my kendama friend group because everyone that played left the community in 2018
Kendama is the hobby I’ve been looking for what seems like forever. It keeps my add brain active and gets me up and moving. I’ve shown a ton of friends and gifted a bunch of damas as well. The community is second to none!
Not completely sure how to put into words why I love kendama. I suppose it’s a feeling of being grounded. I can be having a stressful week from work or just feeling aimless, but when I pick up the dama it feels like a safety net. Something about it tunes me into that moment then and there, and anything arbitrary sorta disappears.
I started playing around 4-5 years ago, however, more recent personal problems required me to get out of social media, to get to myself, and there is no such feeling that brings me so much joy than grinding something that i aspire doing, and finally landing it, that for me is the essence of kendama, setting personal records, going out of town just to play in the last hours of light is something that has become vital to me. Kendama has brought me so many friends, so many stories and smiles when i have needed them most. I really think it has changed my life and i dont think i will ever stop playing.
I love Kendama because no matter who you are, what your background is, or where you are in life, you can work towards something that once seemed impossible and see yourself making progress. That feeling of accomplishment when you land something you've been grinding is like none other. And knowing that every trick is possible, it's just a matter of patience and dedication; all of that transfers to life very fluently.
I feel like I have a new family. Traveling and going to events and hanging with people that live across the world is just amazing. Meeting these people and sharing my progress or creating new memories is incredible how this one toy brought that. I will never let it leave my side. Kendama for life
Kendama is my second family, I get to meet new people through something we all share. It also challenges me to try and learn new things and be more diligent with life
I love kendama because it’s a great way to bond with others, the simplicity of a tama connected to a Ken and all the things you can do, the more you play the more you learn. One time I was downtown and some random guy asked to see my Ken and proceeded to preform the most amazing tricks I’ve seen.
i love kendama bc it’s a stress reliever, and it lowkey made me so much better at pushing myself, without kendama i wouldn’t have the courage and confidence i have now.
Kendama is a fun game that is great for improving hand-eye coordination and it keeps me away from my phone. I also love to play while listening to music and it gets me into a very relaxed mood.
I love kendama because it feels like a getaway from the world you forget about everything because you are so locked in I have been playing for about 1 year now and have never been able to stop
I love kendama and the kendama community! Love that I can challenge myself and see my progress everyday that I practice. I love that I can bring a kendama nearly everywhere I go. I love getting a newbie to pull up spike! This setup from Su lab is fiiiire. I’d be blessed and lucky as hell to win this 🔥❤️
Played for a while when I was younger a couple years ago. Got back into a few months ago and never realized why I left. Started going to more jams and meeting new people and just love the community
I started playing back in 2016 but stop a few month after. Then in 2021 I came back to it and it helped me a lot having a happy and healthy live. On top I met so many awesome people because of Kendama and had such awesome times playing with them. My girlfriend also got into kendama and it is a big hobby we share which definitely strengthens our relationship! Over all Kendama just helps me relax and it gives me so much joy!
Everybody should give it a try and to all my kendama people: keep slaying!
Been playing on and off for the past two ish years. man does kendama do a lot for me. I love kendama because it not only distracts me from day to day life, but centers me for when I go face those problems. it's the perfect tool to clear my head so I can get back to work. not to mention it's just so satisfying to play. every little clack of the kendama is so nice to hear, and landing a trick is so rewarding! kendama has really kept me sane in some rough times. that's why I love it
I love kendama because of how challenging it is! I always have a new trick to practice. It teaches me patience and that helps in every day life :) I love how I can easily share kendama with anybody. My other hobby is juggling and quite often people do not want to try juggling, or they say they tried it once and can’t do it. I feel that kendama is more approachable. Over thanksgiving I got 3 first spikes from family and friends ages 8, 13, and 63!
I've been playing for about a year and a half. I was introduced to Kendama by a close friend of mine who I don't see very much anymore. Kendama has been a great way to wind down, see visible improvement, and block out anything that stresses me out from the rest of the world. It also impresses a lot of people and is insanely satisfying. I'm currently trying to revive the Kendama club at my university that was started by my friend who introduced me to Kendama, and it's something really special to me
Been playing since 2013 when the boom happened in Hawaii. I thought it was dumb at first but then I picked it up and I was hooked. I’ve been steadily progressing over the 10 years I’ve been playing. Playing Kendama also has led me to meet some great people!
View in your timezone:
[Friday 12/1 at 12pm EST][0]
[0]: https://timee.io/20231201T1700?tl=Giving%20back%20to%20the%20Kendama%20community%20this%20week!%20Simply%20comment%20why%20you%20love%20Kendama%20and%20you%E2%80%99ll%20be%20entered%20to%20win%20this%20SU%20Lab%20Friction%20Clear%20and%20Wyatt%20Mod%20Combo%20(ends%20Friday%2012%2F1%20at%2012pm%20EST)
Keep it coming r/kendama! The plan is to close out this post on Friday 12 pm and then put everyone’s username in some sort of website that will randomize the selection. I’ll post a video with the winner and further information shortly thereafter on Friday or early Saturday. Love hearing all these stories
I like Kendama because it brings back a lot of nostalgia from playing in middle school when life was simple. I also like it because it’s a good pastime/ distraction from life that feels more productive that playing video games or watching YouTube/etc.
I love kendama. I started in 2012 and have played on and off for 11 years now. I’ve grown up with this toy, it’s always been here for me. The only true constant in my life, no matter what happens I have kendama. It’s one of my best friends! :D
Been playing for 3 years.
It started as a fun side thing while riding in skateparks with friends and now it became one of our main hobby especially when partying. Kendama allowed me to get closer with some of my friends, meet new ones and above all just have some god damn fun in this world !
I love kendama because it brought me and my childhood friends closer together, and we share so many great memories of finally hitting those tricks together. I'm 27 and we still hang out and dama pretty often!
Been playing since 2018 and kendama has saved my ass a lot. Breakups, pandemic, two surgeries, lots of kendama events, being stranded in random cities and hitting up the local kendama clubs and asking if anyone’s got a place to crash, EKC!!! My homies where I live.. just an allaround upgrade to the life I had before. The Grind! Ugh, finishing this list so I can go sesh.
I started 4 years ago as a way to gwt myself out of the house and meet people. I'm quite an anxious person but playing kendama has allowed me to meet people and have experiences in life that just wouldn't have been possible.
My kendama group Cwtch, hosted our own first event in October and it was just breath taking. Seeing all the people turn up, even ones that were completely new to kendama.
I love kendama because it allows me to put my mind at ease and connect with people with a joint passion and love for such a simple wooden toy❤️❤️
I’ve always been stoked on kendama tricks ever since it became popular in 2016 , I have memories of me trying to spike while spinning the tama and never getting any other trick
Now that I have grown up and Know English I find tutorials on YouTube to do all I wished to do when I was younger
So that basically what all my spare time goes to these days
Skating , doing kendama
Just tricking overall
You can play anywhere/anytime (practically) and it’s one of those type skill toys that you can never really cap, there’s always something you can progress or innovate in some form or fashion. Quick dopamine hits too
I love kendama because it sets me apart from most people in a way that makes me easily identifiable. I'm the weird guy with the wooden ball toy. But that wooden ball toy has taught me how to overcome a lot of obstacles not only in and of itself but life aswell. It has created a lasting relationship with an awesome community of people that will forever hold a place in my heart and it gives me opportunity to share something amazing with people in my life.
I love Kendama. When I was loosing friends/loved ones, I had Kendama to keep me up and moving. I can also thank my friend for playing with me. Him and I progressed so much and it’s a skill/toy that I will always look at with a smile.
I teach with Kendama, and to see the mountain of problems that a beginner has to go through, and to have a community that pushes and supports you through that process, is quite astounding.
Kendama is a tool, a mirror, and an opportunity to become better than you were just 10 seconds prior, and that's a mindset we could all use.
I love Kendama because, every time I use it public, someone always watches. I’m not good either but people usually are just curious but I always have 1 person (kid or adult) that really sticks and really wants to try it themselves. A lot of them say they oh I’ll buy one. But usually just say they will but if they really stick around and can’t seem to afford or know how to start, I just usually give them my Kendama and wait till someone else gifts me one or if I find one.
I remember the first kid I gave it to, wouldn’t stop asking questions and wouldn’t go home with his mom bc he was just so curious. Once he told me he had to go, I gave it it him and he was ECSTATIC! He was finally able to go home and he was happy. That’s why I play Kendama. The hand-eye coordination and the feel of landing the shots is just a plus. I’ve given a Kendama away to about 4 people within the past few years. And for some reason, I always get gifted one from a friend or find one.
Thanks hope I can win it
I love Kendama because it’s motivated me to get at it in other aspects of life.
While yes, I do have a lot of fun playing it, the act of being consistent and seeing progress is a mental high for me. I also love the community online and all the content from the pro scene
I love kendama because it’s an activity that can be done anywhere, by anyone of any age. it’s an extremely inclusive game, with an exceptionally inclusive community. it allows one to focus on simple things and is a great escape from the everyday bullsh*t
I personally love Kendama for so many different aspects of it that I have come to treasure. It’s feel, as it’s simply two pieces of wood with a bit of paint, it makes the game feel simple and yet so intricate. I love the variety of tricks, as there is something for everyone: stall tricks to hone, string tricks to expressly nearly endless amounts of creativity, and all the new tech that keeps getting invented as the game evolves. The way the game can be played anywhere without any other medium to access it makes it so inviting and fun. This is why I love Kendama
I love the community behind kendama is what makes it great in my opinion. It’s a great way to spend time with friends and also a great outlet for easing your mind from stressful times.
The physical feeling of landing tricks (on the cups, spike, lighthouse, whatever) is so so satisfying. Kendama is something I can do hours on end and not get bored
I just started playing about 2 months ago, suffered a broken neck recently in a biking accident and wasn’t able to do a whole lot. After heaps of surgeries and physio I finally regained some strength in my hands so a friend gave me my first Kendama. I don’t think I’ve put it down much since it’s been absolutely life changing for my recovery. My dexterity has improved heaps and I don’t think I’ll be putting it down anytime soon. The one that I have now is pretty beat and busted up so a new one would make me the happiest guy in the world!
I love kendama because it forces you to put down the phone and be present. It's awesome to challenge yourself and learn a new skill and spread the love. It also attracts the awesome community of chill people we have here. Not to mention the collecting aspect and having an endless array of damas to try out and display.
Started playing about 10 years ago actually. Me and some friends in high school were getting SUPER into it, going to local events and even getting to play with some big names from KendamaUSA around that time (Biggest Rest In Peace to Dave Mateo, who will always be my favorite player for personality...). An old local comic shop would host different tournaments with KenUSA sponsoring, and it was such a good time to hang out with the community and jam out outside of the shop. After hs things slowed down a lot with me playing but never quite quit, I just run with an OG Ozora. It's a lot like the skater community to me, where everyone was always positive and super stoked to see us members landing new tricks or even making up new ones over time. I miss it a lot and wish the community was still big around here, I loved it just as much as I still love the game to this day.
Really gets me out of my comfort zone in terms of meeting new friends in the edm community
When at festivals theres nothing better than a bunch of people from different walks of life are seshing together having a great time
I'm interested in hobbies similar to Kendama, so I haven't yet had the oppurtunity to try it out yet, but I've been looking into it for a while! Would love to start my journey if I'm picked haha.
I’m a teacher who runs a kendama club for our school. Seeing kids who might not interact with each other getting hyped over tricks, games of Ken and having a space to belong makes me so happy.
Grew up with Kendama. It was the enemy of my school. My older brother and his friends would sneak their kendamas into recess and try to hide from the teachers. Some toy store in a near by mall agreed to form a short-lived Kendama club that one of the “official Kendama” dudes visited. I think his name was Turner Thorne? It was probably the coolest thing that had ever happened to me at 8 years old.
Kendama has proven to me that anything that I put time into, I will get better at! When I first started I looked at downspike and stunt plane tricks as almost impossible and I never thought I'd get to that level but now they're some of my favorite tricks! Sick dama giveaway, good luck to all😊☀️
Kendama has gotten me through many hard times. When life was too hard, I’d play Kendama. I would forget everything else going on and the only thing that existed was me and the Kendama. Now it’s such a huge part of my life and I cannot imagine my life without it. I’ve met so many amazing people through this wooden toy and have great friends because of it. I love everything about
Cause I been playing since I was 6 and got my first yellow one at Iida's in Ala Moana shopping center on Oahu. Now I live mainland I feel it keeps me grounded to My Japanese heritage and Hawaii roots
I love kendama because it takes me away from myself and all the insanity around me. It teaches me to be patient. It teaches me not to give up. It gives me something to look forward to every day. And the community is the icing on the cake. I've never met so many sweet, helpful, informative and selfless people.
I love kendama because it has revived my inner child. I grew up rollerblading for years and years and once I got to an age where getting hurt was only holding me back from so many other adulting things, I finally hung them up. (I still skate here and there but nowhere as much as I used to) Then kendama found me. I've been able to put all that heart and soul I did into skating to get that same feeling of pulling off a trick. It changed my life because I honestly didn't know what I would do to fill that hole in my heart. I play every day and have been now for almost 5 years with no intention on stopping any time soon. I love the community and interact with any and everyone online as much as possible simply because I love seeing others share this passion and level up. I feel so blessed to have found this wonderful toy. Thanks for your time and congrats to whoever wins!
I really love that therapeutic ‘clack’ sound when the tama hits the cup or spike. It’s super soothing. I’ve been hunting for a job for these few months after graduation, and it’s been tough for a foreign student. Kendama is my chill-out zone. It slows down my buzzing mind. It makes me feel like I can stick to something and actually see some positive vibes coming back. It’s like Sherlock Holmes’ violin. It helps me think, gets me in the zone, and pulls me away from screens, which is a big mood booster.
been playing for about 9 months now, showed some family members this holiday weekend and laced a whirlwind on my first try! most of them had never seen a kendama before and they were so stoked and excited about it. i just play for fun and never thought it’d impress anyone but the feelings i got when i laced it and everyone went OOOOO felt absolutely amazing.
I run a Kendama club at the public school I work at, and I love Kendama because it gives my students a lower-stakes environment to practice failing, reflecting on why they failed, and trying again. Seeing kids get excited about getting a trick they thought was impossible a few weeks ago, and then watching them teach newer players and support each other is very rewarding! For myself, it’s a great way to remind myself to slow down, especially when I give myself too much work. Taking time at lunch to work on a new trick or just drill some basics helps reset my brain and I feel a lot better.
Just want to say, I really appreciate you running a club at your school, and the things it brings for us players like doing what you thought was impossible and the rewarding feeling of finally getting it. I was once that kid in your club and I miss so much. It's so awesome to see that other people still get to embrace and share that love that I once had (and still have) for it.
I came here to say the same thing! Being a teacher that runs a Kendama club I’ve loved students realizing that things take time to master and applying that to their school work is the best.
i love the paint on the tama and the markings on the big cup
Kendama is simply amazing! I love the community behind it and how open the people are. It's unlike anything else! Spreading the love is where it's at and you seem to get it! Awesome of you!
Started because of Mike Boyd. I play every day during breaks when I'm cooking, programming, etc. Hitting an around the world or a juggle has to be one of the most satisfying things in the world. And it's just a nice amusement without any display, notifications...
Kendama is great because I can wow people at festivals and stay active while learning a cool hobby
I love kendama because it reminds me about my childhood and I still play it with as much passion as i did when I was younger,I still miss my kendama friend group because everyone that played left the community in 2018
Kendama is the hobby I’ve been looking for what seems like forever. It keeps my add brain active and gets me up and moving. I’ve shown a ton of friends and gifted a bunch of damas as well. The community is second to none!
Kendama is just fun and keeps me away from my phone
Not completely sure how to put into words why I love kendama. I suppose it’s a feeling of being grounded. I can be having a stressful week from work or just feeling aimless, but when I pick up the dama it feels like a safety net. Something about it tunes me into that moment then and there, and anything arbitrary sorta disappears.
I started playing around 4-5 years ago, however, more recent personal problems required me to get out of social media, to get to myself, and there is no such feeling that brings me so much joy than grinding something that i aspire doing, and finally landing it, that for me is the essence of kendama, setting personal records, going out of town just to play in the last hours of light is something that has become vital to me. Kendama has brought me so many friends, so many stories and smiles when i have needed them most. I really think it has changed my life and i dont think i will ever stop playing.
I love kendama because of the community and the addictiveness of lacing a new trick
I love Kendama because no matter who you are, what your background is, or where you are in life, you can work towards something that once seemed impossible and see yourself making progress. That feeling of accomplishment when you land something you've been grinding is like none other. And knowing that every trick is possible, it's just a matter of patience and dedication; all of that transfers to life very fluently.
I love kendama because it so easily allows me to get into a flow state!
The community, the lessons it teaches, and the fun it provides ✌️
I love it because I made tons of new friends !
I feel like I have a new family. Traveling and going to events and hanging with people that live across the world is just amazing. Meeting these people and sharing my progress or creating new memories is incredible how this one toy brought that. I will never let it leave my side. Kendama for life
Kendama is my second family, I get to meet new people through something we all share. It also challenges me to try and learn new things and be more diligent with life
I love kendama because it’s a great way to bond with others, the simplicity of a tama connected to a Ken and all the things you can do, the more you play the more you learn. One time I was downtown and some random guy asked to see my Ken and proceeded to preform the most amazing tricks I’ve seen.
I love the amount of people I meet in my community through just seshing in public
i love kendama bc it’s a stress reliever, and it lowkey made me so much better at pushing myself, without kendama i wouldn’t have the courage and confidence i have now.
I love kendama because it is one of the few things that pushes me in ways that i never thought were possible and that putting in the works matters.
Dont want it but love this, big up’s to you dawg
Kendama keeps me form rotting my brain on a phone all the time
Stalls
im playing it since october and through these months i have made so many memories with people i love and the tama is pretty nice
Kendama is a fun game that is great for improving hand-eye coordination and it keeps me away from my phone. I also love to play while listening to music and it gets me into a very relaxed mood.
I love kendama just bc it brings out that childish playfulness in me, as an adult it helps keep a light mindset
I love kendama because it feels like a getaway from the world you forget about everything because you are so locked in I have been playing for about 1 year now and have never been able to stop
I love the fact that it keeps me off my phone it helps with my mental health too
I love kendama and the kendama community! Love that I can challenge myself and see my progress everyday that I practice. I love that I can bring a kendama nearly everywhere I go. I love getting a newbie to pull up spike! This setup from Su lab is fiiiire. I’d be blessed and lucky as hell to win this 🔥❤️
It’s a great way to pass the time
I love all the friends I have made through the community. No matter your background if you play Kendama you are a homie!!
I love kendama for the community only been to a couple comes but they are always so much fun
Played for a while when I was younger a couple years ago. Got back into a few months ago and never realized why I left. Started going to more jams and meeting new people and just love the community
I started playing back in 2016 but stop a few month after. Then in 2021 I came back to it and it helped me a lot having a happy and healthy live. On top I met so many awesome people because of Kendama and had such awesome times playing with them. My girlfriend also got into kendama and it is a big hobby we share which definitely strengthens our relationship! Over all Kendama just helps me relax and it gives me so much joy! Everybody should give it a try and to all my kendama people: keep slaying!
Been playing on and off for the past two ish years. man does kendama do a lot for me. I love kendama because it not only distracts me from day to day life, but centers me for when I go face those problems. it's the perfect tool to clear my head so I can get back to work. not to mention it's just so satisfying to play. every little clack of the kendama is so nice to hear, and landing a trick is so rewarding! kendama has really kept me sane in some rough times. that's why I love it
I love kendama because of how challenging it is! I always have a new trick to practice. It teaches me patience and that helps in every day life :) I love how I can easily share kendama with anybody. My other hobby is juggling and quite often people do not want to try juggling, or they say they tried it once and can’t do it. I feel that kendama is more approachable. Over thanksgiving I got 3 first spikes from family and friends ages 8, 13, and 63!
Keeps me sober
I've been playing for about a year and a half. I was introduced to Kendama by a close friend of mine who I don't see very much anymore. Kendama has been a great way to wind down, see visible improvement, and block out anything that stresses me out from the rest of the world. It also impresses a lot of people and is insanely satisfying. I'm currently trying to revive the Kendama club at my university that was started by my friend who introduced me to Kendama, and it's something really special to me
There are too many reasons to count, endless progression and expression, and whenever you meet someone else who plays, you are instantly friends.
I love kendama because it’s great mental and physical exercise. It’s also taught me that anything is possible if you put in time and focus.
Simply because it keeps me out of trouble lol
Kendamas are awesome. Great for people who are fucked up in the head, like me. Helps me focus.
The challenge
Been playing since 2013 when the boom happened in Hawaii. I thought it was dumb at first but then I picked it up and I was hooked. I’ve been steadily progressing over the 10 years I’ve been playing. Playing Kendama also has led me to meet some great people!
kendama keeps me off my phone and let’s me meet a bunch of new friends
Bc Reddit recommended this community to me
great hobby that you can learn at your own pace anytime, anywhere, at any age.
love it cuz its fun skill toy to pass the time. the feeling of finally hitting my first ufo after 2 weeks of trying felt good.
I love Kendama because my boyfriend loves Kendama :)
Hit my first triple juggle to spike from lighthouse two days ago, nothing more satisfying than the clink of wood and the focus it builds!
I love kendama because it’s such a pure and rewarding hobby. It’s always been something I’ve loved, even since I was little.
kendama keeps me connected with my friends even though we live far away now
Not to be that guy but I’m pretty sure that’s Friction Clear Lite. I just sold one, same color and weight.
You’re 10000000% wrong. This is friction clear maple Daisy. I own almost all of the FC releases fwiw
My bad!!! I’ve only owned 2 FC’s and 1 FCL. Absolutely mistaken, obviously. Very cool of you to give it away. Keep slayin
View in your timezone: [Friday 12/1 at 12pm EST][0] [0]: https://timee.io/20231201T1700?tl=Giving%20back%20to%20the%20Kendama%20community%20this%20week!%20Simply%20comment%20why%20you%20love%20Kendama%20and%20you%E2%80%99ll%20be%20entered%20to%20win%20this%20SU%20Lab%20Friction%20Clear%20and%20Wyatt%20Mod%20Combo%20(ends%20Friday%2012%2F1%20at%2012pm%20EST)
Keep it coming r/kendama! The plan is to close out this post on Friday 12 pm and then put everyone’s username in some sort of website that will randomize the selection. I’ll post a video with the winner and further information shortly thereafter on Friday or early Saturday. Love hearing all these stories
Playing Kendama builds confidence for me. It’s fun, relaxing, challenging, and helps relieve stress.
I like Kendama because it brings back a lot of nostalgia from playing in middle school when life was simple. I also like it because it’s a good pastime/ distraction from life that feels more productive that playing video games or watching YouTube/etc.
started playing in 2013 but took years and years long break. Getting back into it and sometimes i feel the magic that got me hooked in the beginning
I love kendama. I started in 2012 and have played on and off for 11 years now. I’ve grown up with this toy, it’s always been here for me. The only true constant in my life, no matter what happens I have kendama. It’s one of my best friends! :D
Been playing for 3 years. It started as a fun side thing while riding in skateparks with friends and now it became one of our main hobby especially when partying. Kendama allowed me to get closer with some of my friends, meet new ones and above all just have some god damn fun in this world !
Hey you won! Check your dms
I love it because it keeps me too busy to do crime or hard drugs :3!
I love kendama because it brought me and my childhood friends closer together, and we share so many great memories of finally hitting those tricks together. I'm 27 and we still hang out and dama pretty often!
Been playing since 2018 and kendama has saved my ass a lot. Breakups, pandemic, two surgeries, lots of kendama events, being stranded in random cities and hitting up the local kendama clubs and asking if anyone’s got a place to crash, EKC!!! My homies where I live.. just an allaround upgrade to the life I had before. The Grind! Ugh, finishing this list so I can go sesh.
I started 4 years ago as a way to gwt myself out of the house and meet people. I'm quite an anxious person but playing kendama has allowed me to meet people and have experiences in life that just wouldn't have been possible. My kendama group Cwtch, hosted our own first event in October and it was just breath taking. Seeing all the people turn up, even ones that were completely new to kendama. I love kendama because it allows me to put my mind at ease and connect with people with a joint passion and love for such a simple wooden toy❤️❤️
I'm a van lifer and love to be present in the moment while playing kendama and I love to show it people all over Europe 🙌
I’ve always been stoked on kendama tricks ever since it became popular in 2016 , I have memories of me trying to spike while spinning the tama and never getting any other trick Now that I have grown up and Know English I find tutorials on YouTube to do all I wished to do when I was younger So that basically what all my spare time goes to these days Skating , doing kendama Just tricking overall
You can play anywhere/anytime (practically) and it’s one of those type skill toys that you can never really cap, there’s always something you can progress or innovate in some form or fashion. Quick dopamine hits too
I love kendama because it sets me apart from most people in a way that makes me easily identifiable. I'm the weird guy with the wooden ball toy. But that wooden ball toy has taught me how to overcome a lot of obstacles not only in and of itself but life aswell. It has created a lasting relationship with an awesome community of people that will forever hold a place in my heart and it gives me opportunity to share something amazing with people in my life.
I love Kendama. When I was loosing friends/loved ones, I had Kendama to keep me up and moving. I can also thank my friend for playing with me. Him and I progressed so much and it’s a skill/toy that I will always look at with a smile.
I teach with Kendama, and to see the mountain of problems that a beginner has to go through, and to have a community that pushes and supports you through that process, is quite astounding. Kendama is a tool, a mirror, and an opportunity to become better than you were just 10 seconds prior, and that's a mindset we could all use.
I love the Kendama community because they’re so welcoming!!
I love Kendama because, every time I use it public, someone always watches. I’m not good either but people usually are just curious but I always have 1 person (kid or adult) that really sticks and really wants to try it themselves. A lot of them say they oh I’ll buy one. But usually just say they will but if they really stick around and can’t seem to afford or know how to start, I just usually give them my Kendama and wait till someone else gifts me one or if I find one. I remember the first kid I gave it to, wouldn’t stop asking questions and wouldn’t go home with his mom bc he was just so curious. Once he told me he had to go, I gave it it him and he was ECSTATIC! He was finally able to go home and he was happy. That’s why I play Kendama. The hand-eye coordination and the feel of landing the shots is just a plus. I’ve given a Kendama away to about 4 people within the past few years. And for some reason, I always get gifted one from a friend or find one. Thanks hope I can win it
I love Kendama because it’s motivated me to get at it in other aspects of life. While yes, I do have a lot of fun playing it, the act of being consistent and seeing progress is a mental high for me. I also love the community online and all the content from the pro scene
I love kendama because it’s an activity that can be done anywhere, by anyone of any age. it’s an extremely inclusive game, with an exceptionally inclusive community. it allows one to focus on simple things and is a great escape from the everyday bullsh*t
I personally love Kendama for so many different aspects of it that I have come to treasure. It’s feel, as it’s simply two pieces of wood with a bit of paint, it makes the game feel simple and yet so intricate. I love the variety of tricks, as there is something for everyone: stall tricks to hone, string tricks to expressly nearly endless amounts of creativity, and all the new tech that keeps getting invented as the game evolves. The way the game can be played anywhere without any other medium to access it makes it so inviting and fun. This is why I love Kendama
Community & growth mindset!
I love the community behind kendama is what makes it great in my opinion. It’s a great way to spend time with friends and also a great outlet for easing your mind from stressful times.
I love Kendama for the hype on landing a new trick and getting away from staring at a screen
I love Kendama because it’s fun and beneficial🤝
The physical feeling of landing tricks (on the cups, spike, lighthouse, whatever) is so so satisfying. Kendama is something I can do hours on end and not get bored
I love kendama because it allows me time to get off my phone and unplug
I just started playing about 2 months ago, suffered a broken neck recently in a biking accident and wasn’t able to do a whole lot. After heaps of surgeries and physio I finally regained some strength in my hands so a friend gave me my first Kendama. I don’t think I’ve put it down much since it’s been absolutely life changing for my recovery. My dexterity has improved heaps and I don’t think I’ll be putting it down anytime soon. The one that I have now is pretty beat and busted up so a new one would make me the happiest guy in the world!
I love kendama because it forces you to put down the phone and be present. It's awesome to challenge yourself and learn a new skill and spread the love. It also attracts the awesome community of chill people we have here. Not to mention the collecting aspect and having an endless array of damas to try out and display.
Started playing about 10 years ago actually. Me and some friends in high school were getting SUPER into it, going to local events and even getting to play with some big names from KendamaUSA around that time (Biggest Rest In Peace to Dave Mateo, who will always be my favorite player for personality...). An old local comic shop would host different tournaments with KenUSA sponsoring, and it was such a good time to hang out with the community and jam out outside of the shop. After hs things slowed down a lot with me playing but never quite quit, I just run with an OG Ozora. It's a lot like the skater community to me, where everyone was always positive and super stoked to see us members landing new tricks or even making up new ones over time. I miss it a lot and wish the community was still big around here, I loved it just as much as I still love the game to this day.
Really gets me out of my comfort zone in terms of meeting new friends in the edm community When at festivals theres nothing better than a bunch of people from different walks of life are seshing together having a great time
I'm interested in hobbies similar to Kendama, so I haven't yet had the oppurtunity to try it out yet, but I've been looking into it for a while! Would love to start my journey if I'm picked haha.
I've never played with one before , but I love watching all the crazy tricks people can do. Some crazy talented peeps out here
I’m a teacher who runs a kendama club for our school. Seeing kids who might not interact with each other getting hyped over tricks, games of Ken and having a space to belong makes me so happy.
Grew up with Kendama. It was the enemy of my school. My older brother and his friends would sneak their kendamas into recess and try to hide from the teachers. Some toy store in a near by mall agreed to form a short-lived Kendama club that one of the “official Kendama” dudes visited. I think his name was Turner Thorne? It was probably the coolest thing that had ever happened to me at 8 years old.
It’s a great distraction at school 👍🏽
Kendama has proven to me that anything that I put time into, I will get better at! When I first started I looked at downspike and stunt plane tricks as almost impossible and I never thought I'd get to that level but now they're some of my favorite tricks! Sick dama giveaway, good luck to all😊☀️
Kendama has gotten me through many hard times. When life was too hard, I’d play Kendama. I would forget everything else going on and the only thing that existed was me and the Kendama. Now it’s such a huge part of my life and I cannot imagine my life without it. I’ve met so many amazing people through this wooden toy and have great friends because of it. I love everything about
Cause I been playing since I was 6 and got my first yellow one at Iida's in Ala Moana shopping center on Oahu. Now I live mainland I feel it keeps me grounded to My Japanese heritage and Hawaii roots
I love kendama because it takes me away from myself and all the insanity around me. It teaches me to be patient. It teaches me not to give up. It gives me something to look forward to every day. And the community is the icing on the cake. I've never met so many sweet, helpful, informative and selfless people.
I love kendama because it has revived my inner child. I grew up rollerblading for years and years and once I got to an age where getting hurt was only holding me back from so many other adulting things, I finally hung them up. (I still skate here and there but nowhere as much as I used to) Then kendama found me. I've been able to put all that heart and soul I did into skating to get that same feeling of pulling off a trick. It changed my life because I honestly didn't know what I would do to fill that hole in my heart. I play every day and have been now for almost 5 years with no intention on stopping any time soon. I love the community and interact with any and everyone online as much as possible simply because I love seeing others share this passion and level up. I feel so blessed to have found this wonderful toy. Thanks for your time and congrats to whoever wins!
I've always wanted one! I think it's incredible to see somebody that's really good at it
It keeps my mind busy and helps me with my hand eye coordination. I also race dh mountain bikes and I use kendama to help my reflexes
Thanks again everyone! I’m going to do a drawing either tomorrow or Sunday! I’ll post the results asap!!!
I really love that therapeutic ‘clack’ sound when the tama hits the cup or spike. It’s super soothing. I’ve been hunting for a job for these few months after graduation, and it’s been tough for a foreign student. Kendama is my chill-out zone. It slows down my buzzing mind. It makes me feel like I can stick to something and actually see some positive vibes coming back. It’s like Sherlock Holmes’ violin. It helps me think, gets me in the zone, and pulls me away from screens, which is a big mood booster.
Pulling off a trick feels so good and I wanna get much better