Kendama Tricks: step-by-step video tutorials
Visual dictionary of kendama tricks with video tutorials. Filter by level and category, learn from beginner to pro.
Kendama Tricks
Step-by-step video tutorials, sorted by difficulty and category. Filter, search and discover each trick with its tutorial video.
Kendama tricks for beginners
The three cups (big, small, base) and the spike are the foundation. Combos like moshikame or around the block are part of any official test. If you are starting kendama, learn these in this order.
Big Cup
Throw the tama upwards and catch it in the big cup of the ken (the face). The first trick you learn and the base for everything else.
Watch tutorialBase Cup
Same as big cup but the tama lands in the base cup (the one at the bottom). Changes the string angle and forces a different pull.
Watch tutorialSmall Cup
Catch the tama in the small side cup. Harder than big cup because the landing area is significantly narrower.
Watch tutorialMoshikame
Continuously alternate between big cup and base cup with a swinging motion of the ken. Basic rhythm trick of kendama, present in every official test.
Watch tutorialClack Back
Hit the tama backwards with the big cup to bounce it back to the same cup with an audible "clack". Works hand response.
Watch tutorialBungee
Let the tama fall until the string tightens and when it bounces back, catch it in the big cup. Works elastic rebound control.
Watch tutorialBaseball
Hold the ken horizontal like a bat and hit the tama through the air so it lands on the small or big cup at the end. Visual and fun.
Watch tutorialKarate Chop
The tama hangs at rest and you hit it with a sharp ken movement so it spins and lands cleanly in one of the cups.
Watch tutorialOrbit
Make the tama do a horizontal loop around the ken before landing in the big cup. Introduces controlled rotation.
Watch tutorialBig Cup Spike
Start with the tama in big cup, throw it up and catch by spiking the ken tip into the tama hole. First real combo of kendama.
Watch tutorialBig Cup Combo
Chained variant of big cup, base for further combos. Works clean throwing and stable receiving.
Watch tutorialSmall Cup Combo
Same idea as big cup combo but using the small cup. More demanding on wrist orientation.
Watch tutorialSpike
Throw the tama up and as it falls, catch by spiking the ken tip into the hole. The other basic pillar alongside big cup.
Watch tutorialPenguin Catch
Hold the ken inverted (tip down) and catch the tama in one of the side cups. Changes the standard grip and opens the door to more advanced tricks.
Watch tutorialCandlestick
Hold the tama in your palm with the ken hanging straight down (like a candle). Starting position for many intermediate tricks.
Watch tutorialAround Prefecture
Short combo passing the tama through two cups in sequence. Introduces "around" sequences that travel the ken in multiple steps.
Watch tutorialAround The Block
Route through the three cups (big, small, base) ending in spike. Classic combo of the "around" repertoire and standard beginner test.
Watch tutorialAround Japan
Around variant passing through big cup then ending in spike. One of the most internationally recognised sequences.
Watch tutorialIntermediate level kendama tricks
Here come the first serious combos: around the world, earth turn, airplane, swing spike. Also the first tricks with rotation and basic stalls. The kendama quality starts to matter.
Airplane
Hold the tama by the string and catch the ken by spiking the tip into the tama hole. Called airplane because the ken "lands" on the tama.
Watch tutorialJumping Stick
The ken starts resting on a surface and with a string pull you launch it up to catch in your hand. Works string control.
Watch tutorialSwing Spike
Swing the hanging tama and use the swing moment to spike the ken tip. Dynamic version of the classic spike.
Watch tutorialAround The World
Full combo through big cup, small cup, base cup ending in spike. One of the classic intermediate level challenges.
Watch tutorialFlying Top
The tama spins in the air like a horizontal top before falling into the cup. Showy trick combining rotation and catch.
Watch tutorialEarthturn
The tama does a full turn in the air on the vertical plane (like Earth's rotation) and lands in big cup. Iconic intermediate trick.
Watch tutorialAirplane Straight Air
Airplane variant where the ken is launched straight up before landing on the tama. Works a clean path without oscillations.
Watch tutorialFrying Pan
The tama lands sideways on the big cup (like an egg in a pan) and from there you chain another movement.
Watch tutorialSlip-On Stick
The ken slides along the string until it fits in the tama by the tip. One of the cleanest ways to spike without throwing.
Watch tutorialRising Dragon
Combo starting from candlestick, throws the tama and catches with a flashy ascending movement.
Watch tutorialLadybug
The tama does a short spin and lands resting on big cup with a soft movement. Preliminary position for more complex tricks.
Watch tutorialStunt Plane
Advanced airplane variant with an acrobatic ken turn before landing on the tama. Requires total swing control.
Watch tutorialKen Flip
Throw the ken so it makes a full turn in the air and catch it by the handle. Fundamental trick opening a whole branch of advanced combos.
Watch tutorialFlying V
Combo where the tama rises following a "V" pattern before landing. Works two-handed coordination on vertical plane.
Watch tutorialMars Turn
Earth turn variant with extra spin or on a different plane. The tama does a more demanding rotation before falling into cup.
Watch tutorialGunslinger
Trick with inverted ken grip (gunslinger style) ending in spike. Requires getting used to a non-standard grip.
Watch tutorialAdvanced and professional kendama tricks
Technical stalls like lighthouse, UFO or bird, multiple rotation combos like whirlwind, and tricks combining flips with stalls. These appear in competitions and require years of practice.
Vacuum
The ken tip slides along the tama surface until it enters the hole (like a vacuum). Technical move that looks like magic when done well.
Watch tutorialAround Europe
Extended around combo passing through more cups and positions than around the world. Lower advanced level challenge.
Watch tutorialPenguin Earthturn
Earth turn executed starting from penguin grip (inverted ken). Combines rotation and unusual grip.
Watch tutorialScooping Goldfish
Move where the tama seems "fished" by the cup with a delicate, soft gesture. Lots of wrist control.
Watch tutorialAround USA
Another major around sequence, with more cups and a demanding final transition. International standard for consistency evaluation.
Watch tutorialTurntable
The tama rests on the top face of the ken and spins on itself like a turntable before the next move. Technical and visual stall.
Watch tutorialHanging Spike
The tama hangs upside down from the ken by the hole, in balance. From there you execute the next move or hold as a stall.
Watch tutorialDownspike
Spike executed in a downward direction, with the ken descending towards the tama. Completely changes classic spike mechanics.
Watch tutorialHanging Airplane
Airplane ending with the tama hanging in hanging stall position. Combines string control and fine balance.
Watch tutorialOne-Turn Airplane
Airplane with a full ken rotation before landing on the tama. Qualitative leap over basic airplane.
Watch tutorialLighthouse
The tama stays in vertical balance on the ken tip (like a lighthouse). Iconic stall and one of the most recognisable kendama challenges.
Watch tutorialUFO
The tama rests sideways on the ken with a rotation that gives a flying saucer effect. Stall requiring center and rotation combined.
Watch tutorialBird
The tama rests by the hole on one of the cups, with the ken in "bird" position. Stall with very recognisable aesthetics.
Watch tutorialBird Over the Valley
Bird variant with a bridge between two support points. The tama is balanced crossing a "valley" between two cups.
Watch tutorialWhirlwind
Multiple rotation combo where the tama spins several times before landing in a specific position. One of the most seen pro tricks in competitions.
Watch tutorialKenflip Lighthouse
Lighthouse preceded by a full ken flip. The tama must land in lighthouse stall right after the ken rotation. Pure pro-level challenge.
Watch tutorialFrequently asked questions about kendama tricks
How many kendama tricks exist?
Hundreds of tricks have been catalogued, from basics like big cup or spike to professional combos with multiple rotations. This dictionary grows over time and covers the full learning curve from beginner to pro.
Which is the easiest trick to start with?
Big cup is the entry trick. You throw the tama up and catch it in the big cup of the ken. It is the first trick in any official guide and the basis for everything else.
In what order should I learn tricks?
First the three cups (big, small, base), then spike, then simple combos like moshikame or around the block. From there you can jump to rotation tricks (earth turn) and stalls (lighthouse).
Is there an official level system?
Yes. KENTEI is the official Japanese test that defines levels from Medal Challenge (beginner) to Master (pro). We map each trick to its KENTEI level when applicable.
How long does it take to learn basic tricks?
Basic tricks usually take days or weeks of regular practice. Intermediate combos can take months. Advanced tricks and stalls like lighthouse can require years to perform consistently.
Which kendama is best to learn?
For basic tricks any beginner kendama works. For stalls and balance tricks, a matte anti-slip finish like Antiskid or sticky helps a lot.
Can you learn kendama without a teacher?
Yes. Most players learn self-taught with YouTube videos and online communities. Progression is well codified and tutorials are accessible. All it takes is regular practice.
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