Kendama: The Cup and Ball Toy With a Following

Learn about kendama, the Japanese cup-and-ball toy: its parts, history, classic tricks, the Hiroshima World Cup and how beginners can start playing.

Published October 17, 2026 at 10:00 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Kendama is a Japanese skill toy made of a wooden handle called the ken, a ball called the tama and a string. Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture is regarded as the birthplace of modern kendama and hosts the Kendama World Cup each summer.

A wooden handle, a wooden ball, a string and a lot of practice: that is all it takes to become part of one of the friendliest hobby communities in the world. Kendama began as a traditional Japanese toy, but it has grown into a worldwide pastime with competitions, clubs and passionate fans of all ages. New players around the world keep discovering how satisfying it is to land a trick after many tries. This guide explains how a kendama is built, where the toy comes from, which tricks beginners meet first, and how to enjoy the scene in Japan, especially in the city that is regarded as its modern birthplace.

The Parts of a Kendama

A kendama is simpler than it looks, which is a big part of its charm. The handle is called the ken, and it ends in a point called the kensaki, a spike that fits into the hole of the ball. The ball is called the tama, and it has a hole, known as the ana, drilled through it. A string, or ito, connects the ball to the handle.

The crosspiece that holds the cups is called the sarado. It has a large cup, called the ozara, a small cup, called the kozara, and a base cup in the middle called the chuzara. Together the three cups and the spike give players several different places to land the ball. The back end of the handle, the kenjiri, can also come into play in some tricks.

Because the parts are so few, the toy is easy to carry and easy to share. Many players keep one in a bag or pocket and pick it up during a break. Wooden models also feel good in the hand and often show attractive grain or colors.

A Toy With Deep Roots

The exact origin of kendama is debated. It is generally believed to date to the seventeenth or eighteenth century, and it is related to the French cup-and-ball game bilboquet. It may have reached Japan from China during the Edo period, although the full story is still being researched. Cup-and-ball toys appear in several cultures, which tells us how universal the pleasure of catching a ball can be.

Hatsukaichi, in Hiroshima Prefecture, is considered the birthplace of modern kendama, since it was the first place to manufacture it. A widely recognized shape was developed in 1919 in Kure, also in Hiroshima Prefecture, and early designs of that period paved the way for the toy people know today. The city is also home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima, so a trip to the area combines a toy pilgrimage with a visit to one of Japan's best-known sightseeing spots. Hatsukaichi welcomes visitors with ferry connections to the island.

In the twentieth century the toy kept evolving. In 1975 a competition model called the S-type was invented by Hideo Shinma, and in 1978 Issei Fujiwara introduced the F16. The Japan Kendama Association held the first kendama competition in 1979. These steps helped kendama move from a children's amusement toward a skill that could be measured, practiced and celebrated.

Tricks to Try

The most basic trick is simply to swing the ball up and catch it in a cup. From there, players progress to the spike, in which the ball lands on the point so that the point passes through the hole. The swing spike adds a motion to the throw. Other classics include around Japan, around the world, bird, clack back, airplane, lighthouse, lunar and candlestick.

Many of these names are as fun as the tricks themselves, and each one has a distinct motion that players can recognize at a glance. As you advance, tricks are combined into sequences, and players enjoy inventing their own combinations. A short routine can look as graceful as a dance.

The key to learning is a relaxed body. Bending your knees slightly, using your legs to move the ball, and keeping your arm calm helps the string stay under control. Short practice sessions work better than long frustrating ones. Most beginners find that a trick suddenly clicks after many small attempts, which is part of the joy.

The Kendama World Cup

Kendama has a thriving competition scene, and its biggest event is the Kendama World Cup in Hatsukaichi, held every summer since 2014. It is a two-day event and is the largest kendama competition in the world. In 2018 it drew an audience of 49,000 and 415 competitors from 18 countries, a figure that shows how global the toy has become.

The competition format uses trick levels. On the first day trick levels run from one to ten, with each trick worth points equal to its level. On the second day the levels range from three to twelve, and the points rise sharply with the square of the level. That structure rewards both consistency and ambition, and it gives spectators plenty of excitement.

Elsewhere, the scene is vibrant. Kendama USA, the first company of its kind in the United States, was founded in 2006, and Kendama Europe followed in 2008. The British Kendama Association held the first formal contest outside Japan in 2008. Today events such as the European Kendama Championship in Leiden, the North American Kendama Open in Minnesota and the Battle at the Border in Tennessee bring players together. Check each event's official site for current dates and details.

Tips for Beginners and Visitors

If you want to try kendama, choose a model that feels comfortable and has a string of reasonable length. Start with the cups, practice the basic catch, and then move on to the spike. A soft surface nearby helps, since a missed ball can bounce away. It is also kind to practice where you will not disturb others, because wooden balls can make a noise.

When traveling in Japan, look for kendama in toy shops, department stores and souvenir shops, where they are sold as traditional playthings. A kendama makes a light, affordable gift that fits easily in a suitcase. If you are planning a trip to Hiroshima, consider adding Hatsukaichi to your route, and check local information for any kendama-related events or workshops. Local tourism offices are good places to ask what is on during your visit.

Above all, enjoy the community spirit. Players are known for sharing tips and cheering for each other, whether they are beginners or champions. Do not worry if your first attempts are clumsy, because everyone started that way. A friendly smile and a willingness to try again are all you need.

Quick Takeaways

Kendama is a wooden cup-and-ball toy made of a handle called the ken, a ball called the tama and a string, with a design that lets players land the ball in cups or on a spike. It has uncertain but long roots, and Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture is considered the birthplace of the modern toy. The annual Kendama World Cup there, held since 2014, is the largest competition in the world.

If you are curious, pick up a kendama, practice a few minutes a day, and notice how your skills grow. The toy teaches patience, balance and joy in small achievements, and it connects you with a global community. Whether you play for fun or aim for competition, kendama is a lovely piece of Japanese culture you can carry in your pocket.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the parts of a kendama?

The handle is the ken, which ends in a spike called the kensaki, and the ball is the tama. The crosspiece with the large, small and base cups is the sarado, and a string called the ito joins the pieces together.

Where did kendama come from?

Its exact origin is debated, but it is generally believed to date to the seventeenth or eighteenth century and is related to the French cup-and-ball game bilboquet. Hatsukaichi in Hiroshima Prefecture is considered the birthplace of the modern toy.

What is the Kendama World Cup?

It is an annual two-day summer event held in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima, since 2014, and is the largest kendama competition in the world. In 2018 it drew an audience of 49,000 and 415 competitors from 18 countries.

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