Do you Kendama?

Do you Kendama?

Last May we received our first order of Kendamas.  Shortly thereafter we had a visit from members of the Wenatchee Kendama Team, a group we had just recently heard about, a they shared with us a little bit.  We were impressed with their tricks they shared and the devotion they showed for the game.  I asked how they got to be so accomplished and instantly and in unison they responded, "We don't do video games".  A few weeks later we invited the team to do a demonstration in the store.  What a day, they took charge, taught tricks, performed fancy maneuvers, and just totally impressed us and the visitors we had.  A few weeks later we invited them back as the fever was increasing in the area as was the team's reputation.  About 100 kids and parents showed and again the team did their thing, keeping organized, running contests, teaching and sharing, and making sure everyone was having a good time.  After pushing the crowd out at closing we invited the boys to stay and have some pizza.  I was anxious to learn from them about their background.  One impressive thing I noted was how they were just as excited to teach a young child their first trick as they were to teach an accomplished player some moves that I couldn't even begin to explain.  Also they lack of inhibition of hugging one another as congratulations on a new accomplishment.  What I learned was "kendama is what we do" is their mantra.  One explained that he could pull out his kendama anywhere in the world and instantly make friends.  Following them on Facebook I had learned that they have and do make friends everywhere they go as a team or as individuals.  As a team I salute them as they have renewed my faith in our future.  If you would like to learn more about the team or kendama, search Wenatchee Kendama Team on Facebook and watch some of their videos.  Keep playing and blessings, Dwight