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New to kendama?
Meet the kendama, your new favorite way to lose track of time. It’s a handle with cups, a pointy spike, and a ball on a string. Toss it, catch it, miss it, try again. Before you know it, you’re hooked, chasing that one trick until you finally nail it. And then? You’re already chasing the next one.
Never played? Let’s fix that.
A complete is your ken (the handle) and tama (the ball), already together and ready to play. No need to mix and match just yet. Just pick the design you like and you’re good to go. And just like that, you’re in for a few delightful frustrations and a whole lot of fun.
Ready to give it a go? We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite kendamas for beginners. Pick the one that catches your eye, and you’re all set. We’ve lined them up from lowest to highest price, so finding your first one is easy.
On your first order
Whichever kendama you go for, add a First Aid Kit and take €10 off it. Fresh string, a spare tip, glue and the bits every player ends up needing, so your setup keeps playing the way you like it. The discount comes off on its own at checkout, once per customer.
Every kendama journey starts somewhere. These three tricks are a great place to begin. Take them one at a time, have fun with it, and enjoy that little rush when you finally nail a catch!
Let’s start with a satisfying catch. Hold the ken with the big cup facing the sky, with the ball hanging below. Bend your knees, then lift so the ball floats up and lands in the big cup. Let your knees do the work, rather than swinging your arm. Give it a few tries until you can land it several times in a row. You’ve got this!
You’re ready for this even if you don’t believe it yourself. Five minutes at most, but likely within one! Leave the ball hanging and give it a spin with your other hand. The rotation helps keep the hole in the right place. Hold the handle with the spike pointing straight up at the sky. Bend your knees, then straighten them to lift the ball, using your legs rather than your arm. This helps the tama travel up in a straighter line. At the top, position the spike directly underneath the ball, still pointing straight up. You’ll feel that satisfying click sooner than you expect!
Time to connect two catches! Start by landing the ball in the big cup. The trick is to separate the movements. First, toss the ball up slightly using your knees. As soon as it leaves the cup, flip your wrist over (don’t roll it) so the small cup faces straight up in a comfortable position. If you tossed the ball straight up, it should come straight back down, making the trick easier than you might expect!
Some kendamas are built to take a little more of a beating. Maple is a harder wood than beech, making it a great option if you’re looking for something a little more resistant to wear. Here are the maple kendamas we have in stock, starting with the most affordable.
Reading only gets you so far. These two free playlists teach the basics one trick at a time. Pick whichever style clicks for you.
One trick per video, from grip and stance through the cups, spike and around the world.
Pro players walk you through the core skills in order, basics first, so you never land on a trick above your level.
More on what is normal wear and what is not in our care guide.
Tell us a little about yourself, your budget, what you are after, and we will point you at a couple of options. We read every one.
New to kendama?
Meet the kendama, your new favorite way to lose track of time. It’s a handle with cups, a pointy spike, and a ball on a string. Toss it, catch it, miss it, try again. Before you know it, you’re hooked, chasing that one trick until you finally nail it. And then? You’re already chasing the next one.
Never played? Let’s fix that.
A complete is your ken (the handle) and tama (the ball), already together and ready to play. No need to mix and match just yet. Just pick the design you like and you’re good to go. And just like that, you’re in for a few delightful frustrations and a whole lot of fun.
Ready to give it a go? We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite kendamas for beginners. Pick the one that catches your eye, and you’re all set. We’ve lined them up from lowest to highest price, so finding your first one is easy.
On your first order
Whichever kendama you go for, add a First Aid Kit and take €10 off it. Fresh string, a spare tip, glue and the bits every player ends up needing, so your setup keeps playing the way you like it. The discount comes off on its own at checkout, once per customer.
Every kendama journey starts somewhere. These three tricks are a great place to begin. Take them one at a time, have fun with it, and enjoy that little rush when you finally nail a catch!
Let’s start with a satisfying catch. Hold the ken with the big cup facing the sky, with the ball hanging below. Bend your knees, then lift so the ball floats up and lands in the big cup. Let your knees do the work, rather than swinging your arm. Give it a few tries until you can land it several times in a row. You’ve got this!
You’re ready for this even if you don’t believe it yourself. Five minutes at most, but likely within one! Leave the ball hanging and give it a spin with your other hand. The rotation helps keep the hole in the right place. Hold the handle with the spike pointing straight up at the sky. Bend your knees, then straighten them to lift the ball, using your legs rather than your arm. This helps the tama travel up in a straighter line. At the top, position the spike directly underneath the ball, still pointing straight up. You’ll feel that satisfying click sooner than you expect!
Time to connect two catches! Start by landing the ball in the big cup. The trick is to separate the movements. First, toss the ball up slightly using your knees. As soon as it leaves the cup, flip your wrist over (don’t roll it) so the small cup faces straight up in a comfortable position. If you tossed the ball straight up, it should come straight back down, making the trick easier than you might expect!
Some kendamas are built to take a little more of a beating. Maple is a harder wood than beech, making it a great option if you’re looking for something a little more resistant to wear. Here are the maple kendamas we have in stock, starting with the most affordable.
Reading only gets you so far. These two free playlists teach the basics one trick at a time. Pick whichever style clicks for you.
One trick per video, from grip and stance through the cups, spike and around the world.
Pro players walk you through the core skills in order, basics first, so you never land on a trick above your level.
More on what is normal wear and what is not in our care guide.
Tell us a little about yourself, your budget, what you are after, and we will point you at a couple of options. We read every one.
