けん玉(だま)

けんだま
noun
kendama, cup-and-ball toy
1. kendama, cup-and-ball toy
A traditional Japanese skill toy consisting of a handle (ken) with cups on either side and a spike on top, connected by a string to a ball (tama) with a hole. The objective is to catch the ball on the cups or spike through various tricks.
子供(こども)のころ、よくけん玉(だま)で遊(あそ)んだ。
I used to play with a kendama a lot when I was a child.
けん玉(だま)の技(わざ)を練習(れんしゅう)している。
I'm practicing kendama tricks.
最近(さいきん)、けん玉(だま)が海外(かいがい)でも人気(にんき)だ。
Recently, kendama has become popular overseas too.

PARTS OF THE KENDAMA:

  • 剣(けん) (ken) - the handle/spike portion
  • 玉(たま) (tama) - the ball
  • 皿(さら) (sara) - the cups
  • 大皿(おおざら) (large cup)
  • 小皿(こざら) (small cup)
  • 中皿(ちゅうざら) (base cup)
  • 糸(いと) (string)

BASIC TRICKS:

  • 大皿(おおざら) (catching ball on large cup)
  • 小皿(こざら) (catching ball on small cup)
  • 中皿(ちゅうざら) (catching ball on base cup)
  • とめけん (catching ball on spike)
  • もしかめ (alternating between cups)
  • 世界一周(せかいいっしゅう) (around the world)

CULTURAL NOTES:

  • Recognized as a traditional Japanese toy alongside お手玉(てだま) and 竹馬(たけうま)
  • Japan Kendama Association (日本(にほん)けん玉(だま)協会(きょうかい)) hosts certification levels
  • Has gained international popularity with competitive tournaments
  • Modern kendama culture merges traditional play with extreme sports influence

COLLOCATIONS:

  • けん玉(だま)で遊(あそ)ぶ (to play with kendama)
  • けん玉(だま)の技(わざ) (kendama tricks)

Related Words

Related: お手玉(てだま) (traditional toy)
general
Added 2026.1.18 8:08 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06523_kendama