Katendama

Katendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy closely related to the kendama. It consists of a wooden handle, or ken, with a spike on its tip, two side cups and a base cup, and a wooden ball, or tama, attached by a string. The tama has a hole that allows the spike to be inserted during tricks, and the string is tied to the ken so the tama can be caught on the cups or landed on the spike. Players perform a sequence of moves such as catching the tama in one of the cups, bouncing it to another cup, or spearing it with the spike. The basic goal is to complete tricks cleanly without dropping the tama.

Originating in Japan, katendama shares roots with the European bilboquet and evolved into the modern kendama form in the early 20th century. It gained international attention in the 2000s with the rise of online videos and organized competitions. Modern variants use a range of woods, finishes, and cup shapes; some versions feature plastic or laminated bodies for durability. The game emphasizes hand-eye coordination, precision, and creativity, with hundreds of documented tricks and naming conventions that vary by community.

In addition to traditional play, katendama has a growing global community of clubs, schools, and competitions, including official kendama organizations that oversee rules and events. It is enjoyed by players of all ages as a skill-building pastime and competitive activity.