Thursday, December 26, 2024
The 7th Hokuryu Kendama Festival, sponsored by the Hokuryu Kendama Club (Representative: Kishi Naoki), was held at the Hokuryu Town Community Center Large Hall from 2pm on Sunday, December 22nd.
- 1 7th Hokuryu Kendama Festival
- 1.1 Opening remarks
- 1.2 Self-introduction time for each team
- 1.3 Game 1: Tsutsuken Relay
- 1.4 Game 2: Hand-held Lighthouse Game
- 1.5 Competition ranking announcement
- 1.6 Bingo game
- 1.7 Closing remarks
- 1.8 An interview with Hokkaido Shimbun Bureau Chief Hidenori Mikawa and Kita Sorachi Shimbun reporter Atsushi Shima
- 2 YouTube videos
- 3 Other photos
- 4 Related articles and sites
7th Hokuryu Kendama Festival
It was an extremely cold day with temperatures reaching a low of -20°C and a high of -7°C. 24 members of the Hokuryu Kendama Club participated with great enthusiasm and had a great time playing Kendama.
The games include a "tube-shaped relay" for pairs, two "hand-held lighthouse" games in which four teams compete for speed, and a "bingo" game with luxurious prizes.
Opening remarks
Representative Naoki Kishi
"Today is the 7th Kendama Festival. Thank you for coming to the Kendama Festival despite the bitterly cold temperatures. Thanks to your support, the Hokuryu Kendama Club has been able to hold this event for the 7th time. Thank you very much.
Today, I hope to have a fun and exciting team match. We have prepared two types of events. The first is "Tube Ken" and the second is "Hand-held Lighthouse." It's a simple game that anyone can play, and I hope everyone will enjoy it and do their best to win prizes based on their ranking.
"After the competition, we will hold a bingo tournament. Not everyone will win a prize, but we have prepared some great prizes, so please look forward to them. John-san is also visiting us today from Asahikawa," said Representative Kishi.
Akamatsu JOHN Masateru (John)
"Hello everyone! Recently, colds, influenza, and mycoplasma pneumonia have been going around. Please be careful. I recently suffered from pneumonia for about a month, so please be very careful. Also, be careful not to get injured.
This is the seventh time we've held this event, so everyone can have fun playing it seven times. The games are "Tube Ken" and "Lighthouse on Hand" that anyone can play.
After the game, feel free to ask us any questions about how to play Kendama, etc. We also have Kendama for sale, so please take a look.
"Christmas is coming up, so I hope we can all have fun together. Thank you very much," said John.
Kishi-kun said, "Today, middle school student Sato-san is here to help us. Rina-chan will be helping us with various things, such as keeping records," and everyone applauded Sato-senpai!!!
Self-introduction time for each team
The competition is divided into four teams of six people: the Sunflower Team, the Dragon Team, the Melon Team, and the Watermelon Team.
Game 1: Tsutsuken Relay
In this game, players form pairs and compete to see who can be the fastest by holding a ball between two cylindrical cones and taking turns going around three cones without dropping the ball.
The entire team plans a strategy, including how to pair up and the order in which to go around the three cones.
"Think about the difference in the inner and outer rims when going around the cones, and turn efficiently!" "You're starting to get the hang of it," "Be careful," "That's a solid play," "Good, good!" "Nice!" John gave advice one after another, and everyone cheered, "Go for it!"
Game 2: Hand-held Lighthouse Game
Six people in a group try to reach the hand-held lighthouses set up on each table at the same time! All six people start at the same time, and the goal is to see who can reach the finish line in the shortest time possible.
The kendama placed on the six tables each have their own unique characteristics, with some being simple with a square ball and others being more difficult and slippery. The key to winning is figuring out who will be in charge of which kendama.
"Don't rush, be careful," "Put it on slowly with both hands and make sure it's secure!" "Do your best!" "It'll be fine!"
Overcoming disappointment by encouraging each other
During the game, one of the challengers attempted a difficult Kendama and was unable to complete it, causing the team to push back on the time limit. Frustrated by their inability to do well, the teammates burst into tears, expressing their frustration with their whole bodies.
The whole team cheered their teammates on with all their might, saying, "It's okay! You did your best! Let's make up the score with this last chance!"
The teammates overcome their frustration and boldly tackle the next game, creating a moving drama. It was a wonderful moment when everyone empathized with each other's frustration and overcame it, leading to the motivation to take on the next challenge!
Competition ranking announcement
1st place:Watermelon Team 80 points
2nd place:Sunflower Team 60 points
3rd place:Dragon Team 60 points
4th place:Melon Team 50 points
Since the Sunflower Team and the Dragon Team were tied, the final match was held!
As a result, Himawari won second place! Congratulations!!!
Bingo game
Seven people who won the bingo will receive a luxurious Kendama prize.
Bingo Prizes
- KODAMAN KENDAMA (1 bottle)
- MUGENMUSOU (2 bottles)
- okendama (4 pieces)
"KODAMAN KENDAMA" autographed by Ken Kodama
The first prize is a "KODAMAN KENDAMA" signed by the world-famous Kendama artist and instructor, Ken Kodama.
- Message card (excerpt):
"The more you spend time with kendama, the more it will become a part of your life and become ingrained in you. Don't compare yourself to others, don't try to beat them, and don't just focus on your skills. Find your own way of interacting with kendama, find your favorite way to play. Kendama will give you many different experiences. So, believe in kendama and take more action. Your life will definitely change. "Kendama is the universe." Kendama has infinite possibilities. "Enjoy your life with kendama" -- these are the wonderful words of Kodama Ken that are included on the poster.
- John:
Mr. Kodama has visited our store in Asahikawa before. I think he came twice last year. Signed Kendama are hard to come by. I bought one directly from him, but it wasn't signed.
A signed Kendama is a very rare item. However, Kodama himself has written a message on the card asking that the customer use it as much as they like.
Rather than just displaying it, I think the person would be happy if you told them, "I used it until it got so damaged."
- Naoki Kishi Representative:
The autograph shown on "KODAMAN KENDAMA" is a kendama that we asked Mr. Kodama to sign, and he kindly did so. The large plate has the message "DO IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT (Keep trying until you can do it!)". If you are lucky enough to get your hands on this kendama, practice as hard as you can until you can complete it!
Those who don't win will receive a mini Kendama and sticker from John, and a chocolate bar from CEO Naoki Kishi!
Closing remarks
Representative Naoki Kishi
"This concludes my Kendama activities for this year. Thank you all so much for playing with me this year.
John has come to many events, including the Sunflower Village Sunflower Festival, which helped us to successfully complete the event. Some of our seniors continue to come to help even after they become junior high school students. I think this really shows how our connections in the community have expanded.
There will be a lot going on during the winter break, so please make sure to not only play kendama but also do your homework properly before the new semester begins. I think the kendama club will resume activities before the end of the winter break. We hope to start activities as early as January 7th. I hope to see you all in good health then. Thank you very much for this past year.
Akamatsu JOHN Masateru (John)
"Thank you for your hard work. This year, we had the opportunity to talk about various things with all the kendama players (including adults). When we talked about what kendama is, Kikki and I both agreed that it's fine as long as it's fun. You can't get hurt, because it will make you sad.
The good thing about it is that it's fun, and it was fun doing it today. Everyone was laughing and cheering and saying "That's great!" and it was fun.
And another thing, I think the feeling of "it's frustrating!" is also important. It's frustrating because things aren't going well! I want to beat that kid, I want to pass the test.
If I could get rid of these feelings of frustration and fun, I would even feel like I didn't need to play Kendama anymore.
The feelings of "it's fun" plus "I want to compete, I want to get better, I want to reach the finish line quickly, I want to get that prize" - with the Olympics being held this year, I feel that these emotions are also important.
There are many different types of kendama out there, but if you won one today, have fun practicing. If you happen to see your grandparents over the New Year holidays, show them how well you've mastered them. I'm sure they'll be very happy. It can be cold and snowy during the winter holidays, so I hope you'll have fun practicing at home.
I'm sure Kissy will come up with many different projects next year as well, so stay tuned!
I think everyone at Hokuryu Kendama has worked incredibly hard this year, 2024. It's really rare for adults to join in. I hope that in Asahikawa too, adults and children can enjoy themselves together like this. I look forward to seeing you again next year. Thank you very much."
An interview with Hokkaido Shimbun Bureau Chief Hidenori Mikawa and Kita Sorachi Shimbun reporter Atsushi Shima
Winning team leader: Saya Fujii (6th grade, Shinryu Elementary School)
"I'm happy to have won. We all worked together to win. In particular, everyone was able to stay calm and not drop the ball in "Tsutsuken."
We all encouraged each other to do the hand-held lighthouse well, even if it was a slow process. It was a lot of fun.
I've improved a lot this year. I can now play in ways that I couldn't at first. I hope to be able to participate in an event like this next year."
Representative Naoki Kishi
"For this competition, we designed it to be one that would allow children and adults to interact with each other. It's not so much a skill event, but something that everyone can enjoy.
There were 24 participants from Hokuryu, Uryu, and Numata towns, and this festival was limited to members of the Hokuryu Kendama Club.
We had a great time this year, and it's great to have a place to socialize outside of school.
It was also great to see a child in tears of frustration recover and take on the competition thanks to the encouragement of his teammates. It's also good to be able to cry in frustration during a serious competition. I think it's a good thing for children today to be able to experience becoming absorbed in what is right in front of them, as this is an experience they don't often have."
Kendama is a fun game for everyone, both adults and children!
With boundless love, gratitude and prayers, I send my heartfelt thanks to the Hokuryu Kendama Club, where we share joy, overcome disappointment, challenge ourselves to the fullest and enjoy life...
YouTube videos
Other photos
Related articles and sites
◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)
