Find more trick tutorials on our YouTube channel. Stuck on a trick? Join our Discord, share your first spike and take part in the trick of the month challenge.
Beginner guide
How to play kendama
Learning kendama for the first time? These are the exact steps we teach new players. Follow them in order and you will land your first spike.
Step by step
Land your first spike
The spin spike is the first big milestone for every kendama player. Here is how to get there.
-
Step 1: Hold the ken
Hold the ken upright with the spike pointing up and the big cup facing you. Keep the string hole on the inside to avoid tangles.
Place your thumb and index finger just below the big and small cup and let your other fingers rest on the handle.
Tip: Whatever grip feels comfortable is the right one.
-
Step 2: Spin the tama
Let the tama hang still below the ken. Grip it with your fingertips and give it a short, controlled snap to start the spin.
Use the hole in the tama as a guide: the spike target is always on the opposite side.
Tip: Pinch the string above the tama for a moment to remove wobble.
-
Step 3: Use your body
Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and one foot slightly forward. Bend your knees and pop the tama up to about shoulder height by straightening your legs.
Move the spike under the tama and let it fall onto the spike. Do not jab, let it settle.
Tip: Standing makes this step much easier than sitting.
-
Step 4: Laced it!
Missing is part of learning. Every miss teaches you something, so reset, breathe and try again.
Once you land the spin spike consistently, try it without the spin. Then teach someone else their first spike.
What next
Beginner tricks to learn next
-
Trick 1
Big cup
Pull the tama up with your legs and catch it in the big cup.
-
Trick 2
Small and base cup
Same move, smaller targets. Great for control.
-
Trick 3
Moshikame
Bounce the tama between big cup and base cup. Count how many you can do.
-
Trick 4
Around the world
Travel through big cup, small cup and base cup, then finish on the spike.
Watch
10 kendama beginner tricks
Prefer to watch? Learn ten beginner tricks with the KIN team. More tutorials and inspiration on our YouTube channel.
The video loads from YouTube when you press play.
FAQ
Questions? Answers.
How long does it take to land a spike?
Most beginners land their first spin spike within a few practice sessions. Short daily practice works better than one long session.
Should I play standing or sitting?
Standing. Using your legs to pop the tama makes almost every trick easier and more consistent.
My string keeps tangling, what am I doing wrong?
Keep the string hole on the inside of your hand and let the tama stop spinning before each trick. A bearing on the string also helps a lot.
Which kendama is best for beginners?
A balanced kendama with grippy paint. The KIN BASE series is made exactly for this.
Keep learning
More kendama guides
-
-
Maintenance
How to string a kendama
Replace a broken string, choose bead or bearing and set the right length.
-
All guides
Learn hub
Your learning path from first catch to first combo, plus tips from the KIN crew.
Start playing
Ready for your first kendama?
The KIN BASE series is made for beginners: balanced beech wood, grippy paint and five colors.