The 4th Hokuryu Kendama Festival (Hokuryu Kendama Club) saw many participants from the neighboring towns of Uryu and Numata! Sharing the excitement and joy of the game

July 11, 2023
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Tuesday, July 11, 2023

The 4th Hokuryu Kendama Festival, sponsored by the Hokuryu Kendama Club (representative: Naoki Kishi), was held in the large hall of the Hokuryu Community Center from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, July 9th. Over 30 children and adults from inside and outside Hokuryu participated, enjoying the Kendama games with great energy.

Number of participants: Approximately 30 people in total

Participants:27 participants, 3 helpers, instructor: Mr. John Akamatsu (Internationally certified, representative of the asahidama Kendama team, Asahikawa City)

Hokuryu Town:16 people (15 children and 1 adult)
Uryu Town:10 people (7 children and 3 adults)
Numata Town:1 child
Help Hokuryu Town:3 people (2 adults, 1 junior high school student)

4 teams and 3 events

The participants were divided into four teams determined by drawing lots: Sunflower, Watermelon, Melon, and Dragon, and the team competition was a mix of children and adults.

The three competitions this time are "Kendama Building Block Time Attack," "Large Plate Kenkenpa Relay," and "Which One is the Show Quiz."

Message from President Naoki Kishi

"Today is the 4th Hokuryu Kendama Festival. It's been about five months since the last festival. It's very hot today, so please make sure to stay hydrated while competing.

Each team has one adult, and we would like adults to participate in the game and work hard as a team.

Professor John came all the way from Asahikawa today. Professor John, please say a few words.

Greetings from Representative Naoki Kishi

Greetings from Professor John Masateru Akamatsu

"Hello everyone! It's hot! Of course it's hot!
It's going to be pretty hot, so please make sure to stay hydrated while playing.
One thing we ask is that you not swing the Kendama around too much. If one hits a small child and injures them, it will be unfortunate for everyone, so please play safely and have fun.

Those who will do their best! OK! Let's do it!!!"

Greetings from Professor John Masateru Akamatsu

Game Description

Introducing the people who will be helping out: Mr. Kato and Mr. Sato, father and son
Each group will introduce themselves and choose a team captain (2 minutes)
Things to note during the game:
❂ Stay quiet when Kissy or John are talking.
❂ Don't fight (it doesn't affect your grades at school, so don't fight even if you fail)
❂ Don't cry (Even if you fail, try your best and don't cry)

Game Start

1. Kendama Block Time Attack: A heated team battle

Each team will be divided into groups of three people and will carry out the exercise three times.
Participants complete the "Hand-held Lighthouse," "The Secret of Hand-held Medium Plates," and "Hand-held Moon Surface" competitions in order, then pass to the next person and compete for time.

Akamatsu JOHN Masaki

"Teamwork and the order of members are important! It's difficult to balance when posting," "Amazing! Nice! That's great, so fast!!!"

The secret to using a medium-sized hand-held plate

2. Plate Hopscotch Relay: Teams are decided by drawing lots

The whole team participates and competes for relay time.
Hold the kendama in the shape of a plate, and while doing the Kenkemper, go around in a semicircle and touch the next person to continue the relay. The last person goes around once.

Everyone cheers each other on by calling out "Ken Kemper!"

Announcement of the results of the large plate hopscotch relay

3. Which one is the best? Show Quiz: Participation prizes available

In this competition, adults attempt Kendama tricks and predict whether they will succeed or fail. If they guess correctly, they receive points, which are added to their team's score.

Everyone participates and is given a card, and for each correct answer a stamp is placed on the card and points are awarded.

Try out 20 different tricks!

Baseball, Down Spike, Uguisuken, Lighthouse Umbrella Knock, Travelling Around Japan, Sweets Special, Legend, Wing Knock, Fawn Stop Knock, Spacewalk, Frying Pan-Knock, Moon Landing-Umbrella Knock, Airplane, Large Plate-Knock Flip-Knock, Travelling Around the World, Scoop Knock, Globe Spin, Hanging Stop Knock, Trapeze

It's divided into sections for success and failure!

Announcement of results and prize presentation

Team Awards

1st place: Sunflower・535 points
2nd place: Dragon・535 points
3rd place: Watermelon・525 points
4th place: Melon・480 points

Since the first and second places were tied, members of the Sunflower and Dragon teams played rock-paper-scissors, and the winning team was declared first place.

As a result, the "Himawari" team was decided as the first place winner!
The captains of each team presented the prizes (sweets) on behalf of the team.

Which one is the SHOW quiz? Medal award

In the "Which one SHOW quiz" in which everyone participates, medals (gold, silver, bronze) will be awarded to those who score the most points.

Special prize (prize is a sticker)

ASAHIDAMA The special award (prize was a sticker) given to those who worked hard in the Asahikawa Kendama Club activities was presented to a mother who worked hard at hopscotch!

Closing remarks

Comments from Professor John Masateru Akamatsu

"It was great that we were able to do it together with the adults today, and I think it was also important that we were able to do calculations and think.

I hope to continue doing more of this kind of thing in the future.

Today's meeting was very meaningful. I hope you all continue to do your best."

Greetings from Representative Naoki Kishi

"I like the saying, 'Instead of looking for what you can't do, look for what you can do.
There are many things you can't do with Kendama. However, you will be able to play the games you have been doing since the beginning. And you will be able to play with a variety of children.

Even if you don't own a kendama, as long as there is one, you can play with lots of other kids. I think this was a day that made me realize once again the possibilities of kendama.

I hope that everyone will continue to have fun using Kendama and come to the Hokuryu Kendama Club.

In September, we will be holding an event to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Hokuryu Kendama Club. We are planning some fantastic prizes, so please look forward to it.

I'm sure you're tired today, so please get some rest and come to school in good spirits tomorrow. That's all for today. Thank you!

Commemorative photo

A Kendama festival where adults and children from inside and outside the town come together to cooperate and enjoy the challenge together!
With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the wonderful Hokuryu Kendama Club, where members come together to share the excitement and joy of the game.

With gratitude to the wonderful Hokuryu Kendama Club, who come together as one and share the excitement and joy of the game...

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