The Spark is one of the ken shapes from Active Kendama, a brand devoted to design-led kendamas with an international team of players. This version, made of beech, features the Black Waldo design and a tacky finish.

• BrandActive Kendama
• ShapeSpark, with hollow core
• WoodBeech
• FinishTacky
• DesignBlack Waldo

Design

Active Kendama’s Spark shape has noticeably larger cups and landing areas than its Elite shape, and a wider ken that narrows where the spike meets the sarado (the piece with the side cups), which makes it easier to grip during spins. Its most distinctive feature is the hollow core: the balance hole in the base cup is drilled larger and capped at the surface, leaving an empty space inside. This makes the base cup lighter, which helps with lunar tricks, without losing usable surface for kenflips, taps and slingers.

Materials and finish

Beech is the most common wood in kendama thanks to its hardness and stability. The tacky finish is a slightly sticky clear lacquer: it gives the tama (the ball) better grip in balance tricks and landings, although it loses some of that stickiness with use. Waldo is a series of Active Kendama tama designs that the brand has released in several colours.