No.193
Kendama: Large-Cup Challenge
Japanese name: けん玉の大皿チャレンジ
Materials
- One kendama per person
How to play
- An adult checks secure string knots and firmly attached cups. Keep well away from others, and agree that nobody enters the ball's swing area.
- Face the large cup upward. Lightly pinch the junction of the handle and cup crosspiece with thumb and index finger. Support the small-cup side with the middle finger or another finger.
- Let the ball hang directly below. Bend the knees slightly, then straighten them while lifting the ball straight up.
- Bring the large cup beneath the rising ball and bend the knees gently to catch it. Do not swing the arms forcefully. After a miss, stop the ball and reset.
- Try five times each and count successes. Stop the ball by hand before passing shared equipment. Finish by sharing one movement you managed.
Ways to adapt
Younger primary school children: begin by placing the ball by hand. Older primary school children: transfer from the large cup to the base cup.