Children vs. Adults Airplane Competition at Hokuryu Kendama Club: Sharing the joy when they win and encouraging each other when they lose

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

On Tuesday, February 18th, from 6pm, in the pouring snow, about 20 children and adults from the Hokuryu Kendama Club gathered in the Hokuryu Town Community Center large hall to compete in a very exciting "airplane showdown" between children and adults!

Kids vs. Adults Airplane Showdown

Kids vs. Adults Airplane Showdown
Kids vs. Adults Airplane Showdown

The "airplane" technique involves holding the ball instead of the sword, rotating the sword half a turn, and inserting the tip of the sword into the hole in the ball.

Airplane tricks!
Airplane tricks!
Hold the ball and rotate the sword to insert the tip into the hole in the ball.
Hold the ball and rotate the sword to insert the tip into the hole in the ball.

For today's Kendama, one child and one adult will take the stage and play rock-paper-scissors to decide who will go first. They will attempt the "Airplane" trick, and the one who completes it in three rounds will be the winner.

Rock-paper-scissors!
Rock-paper-scissors!

This time, Icchan, a first-year junior high school student from Sunagawa City, will be participating in the competition!
With his skillful techniques, Icchan quickly becomes a hero to the children!

"Icchan" from Sunagawa City is participating!
"Icchan" from Sunagawa City is participating!
Victory high five!
Victory high five!
The moment of victory!
The moment of victory!
Yeah!
Yeah!

After each match, the winner erupts in cheers of joy!!!
The winners come down from the stage and exchange high-fives (fist-bumps!) with their friends, both children and adults, all with smiles on their faces.

A happy fist bump!
A happy fist bump!
A smiling high-five!!!
A smiling high-five!!!

The matches continued one after the other, and the match ended after 30 minutes.
Results announced: "Adult team: 17 points, Children's team: 24 points"

"Wow!" the children's joyful voices echoed throughout the room!!!

The children's team won and received a gift of sweets from Kissy!!!

Children gather for the results announcement
Children gather for the results announcement
A gift of sweets from Kissy!
A gift of sweets from Kissy!

With boundless love, gratitude and prayers, we wish the Hokuryu Town Kendama Club a wonderful time where children and adults compete seriously, share the joy when they win, encourage each other when they lose, and enjoy kendama techniques to the fullest at all times...

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◇ Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editing assistance: Noboru Terauchi)