As i try to improve my beginner Kendama basics looking at youtubes and webpages on tips and whats not. I came across this Kendama Girl from Japan's Hiroshima team ISAKEN and became a fan~! She's Yurika Iwamoto~
Check out her video submission for Worldwide Girl Kendama Video Competition. The thing about Iwamoto san is that she post her progress vids on Instagram (@lee_yurika). There, you can see her practicing all her tricks and how she improve through all the misses she gone through (yes, she post her misses too). Watching her posts really motivates me to keep practicing on my Kendama Tricks. And of course i think she is cute. fact.
One of my favorite Kendama to bring along when i am out and about has to be the Catchy Air!
Catchy Air is a Lightweight but heavy duty Non-wood Kendama made of POM or Polyoxymethylene. POM has very high resistance to abrasion, has low friction surface, highly resistance to impact and also Waterproof, making this one strong Kendama for the outdoors/streets. The Catchy Air's Ball (Tama) is built with a strong mesh structure and does not compromise necessary weight and balance of the Tama as a whole. The surface is smooth and rugged. Spike hole is generally small with a slope guide to assist smooth spike tricks. The main body (Ken) of the Catchy Air is also designed in a grid mesh structure. Though its hollow design minimizes the weight of the Ken as a whole, the overall feel of the Ken in the hands is tough and firm.
Another plus point i personally like is the sharpness of the Spike Tip, this really helps in getting that precision spiking motion in line. Featured in only the Catchy Air series, all three cups of the Kendama has a Rubber Ring. This makes catching the Tama more stable and silent when compared to other Wood/Non-Wood Kendama. The rubber ring greatly reduces impact but will take some time to get used to for players whom are playing with hard Cups. You might experience 'Bounce off' when trying Catchy Air for the first time. The Center/Bottom Cup has a Double Rubber Ring that is slightly deeper than the Large and Small Cups. This increases the Grip for Balance Tricks when the Ken needs to be stabilized on the Tama.
Fits neatly in the Catchy Kendama Clip (Sold Separately). Perfect for that grab, clip and go moments.
Easy, Stable, Silent Cup Tricks. Stable Catch even from heavy landings. Balancing of the Ken on the Tama is much easier. Tama Surface enables stable Ken Balance tricks. Overall, the Catchy Air is an all round Kendama with the looks, toughness and balance. Perfect for outdoors/streets as it is lightweight and heavy duty. Standard Cups with Rubber Rings enables silent and stable Cup catches but also increases 'bounce off' if fundamental Hops are misaligned. A 8/10 for basic to intermediate players and collectors.
For those whom are interested in picking up Kendama as a form of hobby and do not want to settle for the conventional Wooden type of Kendama. We might just have the right thing for you~ Kendama Xross R This KDX-R "Atlantis Blue" is made for Beginner - Intermediate tricks.
Features of this KDX-R includes Rubber Coated Cups and Ball which highly increases the Stability of Ball Catch and also Balance Tricks.
Includes: KDX main body with 3 standard sized cups Blue string Rubber Coated Ball 3 Rubber Coated Cups The Rubber Coated Ball is Fully matte in surface and has no print over it due to it Rubbery surface. The lightweight main body is clear 'Atlantis Blue' color and comes with matching Standard Cups. The Rubber Coated Cups can be easily installed by twisting the existing standard cups off and re-attaching the Rubber ones. You can keep the Standard Cups for future replacement or when you proceed to the intermediate range.
The Rubber Coated Ball is very simple to catch with the similar coated cups and there is minimised bounce and impact upon contact when compared to the Standard Cups. Center Cup Tricks are more easily achievable with this Kendama. The Balance Trick is also easier to practice with this Rubber Coated KDX-R. In Overall, KDX-R 'Atlantis Blue' is built for beginners and makes 'getting the hang' of this hobby easier. A easy 9/10 must get for Kendama player for tuning up your Basics Tricks and Balance.
Before the trip for Japan in March last month, mi noticed an increasing amount of young teens playing a particular old vintage toy~ Kendama
This wooden made olden day toy which consist of a Solid Round Ball with a 3/4 inch hole attached by a string to a hammer-like wooden handle with 3 'cups' and a spike on top. The mission to be able to successfully throw the Ball up and catch it back to 1 of the three cups for beginner 'cup tricks' or the advance 'spike tricks' which the Ball ends caught by the spike in almost ALL of the tricks combo.
In the youtube vid above, you can sample the mesmerizing tricks this vintage toy can evolve into.
Goes without say, moriGenSG will be covering some Kendama Toys from Japan as well. Will be reviewing a couple of Kendama from Bandai's KDX (Kendama Xross) and Catchy Kendama. (Which i managed to get in Japan) Might even throw in a few tips and tricks to help beginners catch on this collectable Toy~ Stay Tuned~
Just when the now Ex-Bladers in the region is putting their Beyblades aside in the darkest corner of the stores. The good people of the Takara Tomy WBBA Japan released a sneak preview of the Next Generation of Beyblade. YES
BeyBlade is BACK! Initially Named Project B, the new titled "Beyblade Burst" is announced showing a sneak prototype of 'V' Valkrie Beyblade on their official website. http://beyblade.takaratomy.co.jp
The New BeyBlade Design which looks like a Fusion of Both Old and New designs seems nostalgic. What puzzles in the image is the Clear Plastic-like cover layer over the Blue Metallic Disc. Whats the purpose? Is it something to do with the "Burst" effect that probably able to cast off the layer or transform? The Bottom Metal parts seems to have movable/switchable portions, also the H145 and XF lookalikes probably means the New Bey is back compatible with the previous series! More official information will be release on 15 May 2015 via CoroCoro Comic June Edition. Will cover more sneaks in there when time comes. Meanwhile let the hype of the whole new BeyBlade experience be pumped up~
peeps whom have been following my BeyGenSG, B-daGenSG, BuddyFight GenSG would know that i do short reviews on Takara Tomy's BeyBlades, B-daman and BushiRoad BuddyFight TCGs.Thank you all for the continuous support al these years. Over the years, as these interests come and go, most sites of mine go 'Cold' and soon become static and forgotten. So mi decided that a combined GenSG webplace to be created to consolidate all these post in one place instead of separate pages. (something i should have done long ago~gomen).
Thus, moriGenSG will be doing the usual reviews on upcoming interests of the previous GenSG Webplaces and more from now. Do show your support as always na~
