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British Kendama Association

Kendama: "Elegant Simplicity. Infinite Complexity. Ultimate Fun."

Welcome to the BKA: the ultimate resource for all kendama-related information. You'll find the all latest kendama news, and a wealth of other info on the pages linked below. If you're completely new to the Japanese skill-toy that is kendama,
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Kendama Art Competition


We're excited at the BKA that there's an English language kendama book out there. To celebrate the launch of the "Spike! Mastering the Kendama", we're giving you the opportunity to win a copy absolutely free. Not only that, but there are 3 exclusive pieces of the original artwork, signed by the artist Donald Grant, for you to win.

All you have to do is submit a piece of kendama artwork. There is no restriction on the type of artwork, except that it has to be represented by a single picture that can be displayed online. (So, no movies, audio, or animations). Photos, collages, murals, painted kendama, .... it's up to you!

1st prize: "Moon Landing" by Donald Grant, plus a copy of "Spike! Mastering the Kendama".
2nd prize: "Jumping Stick" by Donald Grant.
3rd prize: "Trapeze Acrobats" by Donald Grant.

Everyone is welcome to enter - worldwide!

Rules:
1) The artwork must be your own
2) You may enter as many times as you like, but only send one picture per entry.

The competition is now closed.
moon landing

Balloon kendama
View all the entrants in the gallery here.

The Results

Void and Donald each chose their top 5, awarding 5 points to number one, down to 1 point to number 5. The scores were then totalled to give a final tally, and we can now reveal that all the entrants scored points, and the results are:

1st: The Great Kendama Battle by Guy
The judges said "Words escape me. Detailed, thoughtful, finely executed and ever so slightly disturbing." & "Astounding attention to detail, and the little touches like the Bird Flying Over The Valley and the Lighthouse just made it all the more delightful."

2nd: Origami Kendama by Chris
The judges said "The beautiful fusion of two fine and fiddly Japanese artforms." & "The amount of research and failed attempts that must have gone into creating these deserves notice."

3rd: Custom Shin Fuji by Kubo
The judges said "Fine artisan craftery." & "Making a kendama look even more Japanese, whilst adding to the aesthetic."

Thanks to everyone who took the trouble to enter.