Kendama Crazy

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdfhW6UZ7o&feature=related[/youtube]

So in the previous post we dropped news that the Wheel Love store is gonna be the only store in which you can lay your eager hands on a kendama. So what is it and what can you do with it? Sukeats of Wheel Love describes it as “sort of like a yo-yo, but with a little bit more street cred. The toy is popular amongst the international blading community – perfect for those days when you can’t land any tricks.” Check the sexy girl in wind vid here to see what he’s raving about, then get deets and proper skills vids after the jump.

 

Big in Japan a kendama consists of a hammer-like object with a ball connected to it by a string and the challenge is to catch and spear the ball in various ways or perform various juggles, balances or position sequences (waza).  

Even if you haven’t heard of it before, the game ain’t new. Known as ring and pin, cup-and-ball, bilboquet, and balero in different parts of the world, Kendama’s origins date back to the 16th century and has been played from Europe to the Arctic where they played it with a rabbit skull and animal hair. Urk.

But no one does it qute like the Japan, who have delivered unto us another mad crazy trend and cleaned it up for more palatable play, even hosting heated battles in which lists of wazas must be performed in sequence.

Sukeats has promised us a live demo after the hols which JUICE will be video just for you. So watch out for that. In his own words: “we’ve got some local guys who’ll show you magic with them ball and sticks.” Er, ok. Here’s a video he suggests you check out: http://vimeo.com/4777054

Get your hands on a kendama before anyone else. Hit up www.shop.wl33.com.