The name "kendama" translates to "sword ball". This is rather fitting since the toy consists of two wooden parts - a ball and a cross-shaped "sword" - connected by a 16-inch (40 centimeter) string. The wooden ball has a small hole in one side. There are cups on three tips of the sword and one spike. The three cups are different sizes.
The game is played by tossing the ball and attempting to catch it in the various cups or the spike. Although it sounds easy, it isn't. It takes a lot of practice to develop any skills, let alone to be able to do fun tricks.
Although many Japanese people claim kendama is from Japan, it actually originated in either France, Greece, or China and came to Japan in the middle of the Edo period (reports vary between 1777 and 1778). However, the modern version is quite different from the two ended (no cross-section) toy that arrived in Japan so many years ago.
It was first played with as a drinking game (drop the ball and you have to take another drink), but transitioned into a children's toy. It was actually mentioned in a 1876 educational report by the Ministry of Education that kendamas were being played with in the public school system. Popularity of the toy has grown ever since and can still be found in schools all over the country.
We've always had a kendama in our house. My husband can do some tricks that he learned long ago, impressing myself and our son.
Now our son wants to practice constantly. We don't mind at all because it strengthens hand-eye coordination, balance, and reflexes, as well as entertains him.
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