The Kendama Forum

Forum categories => Gear => Topic started by: BKA on 24 October, 2013, 16:51:43

Title: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: BKA on 24 October, 2013, 16:51:43
More innovation, and new colours. Click for the full story.
(http://u.jimdo.com/www47/o/s7e97a08a158ec76f/img/i4656882446bc653b/1382551062/std/image.jpg) (http://www.gloken.net/gloken-en/new-mugen-project/public-release/)
http://www.gloken.net/gloken-en/new-mugen-project/public-release/ (http://www.gloken.net/gloken-en/new-mugen-project/public-release/)
http://youtu.be/upglWgGoLz0 (http://youtu.be/upglWgGoLz0)
New holsters too. Coo.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: mreasyguy on 24 October, 2013, 17:48:18
Them replaceable tips are an idea I really like but i'm guessing it's not going to be to everyone's taste, depends what they are made of really.

Holsters look good but wow $149 for the top end one  :o

Will be getting both just so i can play one as my earth blue has stayed in it's box since I've had it!
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Dimensions on 24 October, 2013, 18:00:05
WANT!
Will they be approved? - or will time only tell?
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: The Void on 24 October, 2013, 18:21:33
At least you've held your EB, mreasyguy - I've got to wait until xmas to unwrap mine!

Not sure what I think about the plastic tip. I like the fact that kendamas are just wood and string, plus a bit of paint. Now this one's metal and plastic too? Hmmm. And I continue to be amazed that holsters keep being designed that don't protect the kendama.

That Snow Gold is lovely though.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: AlexSmith on 24 October, 2013, 20:40:48
Replacement tips? Hmm I'm not too sure how I feel about that. I'm sure the durability is a welcome change, and the coloured tips being easier to spot is also nice, but I worry that the plastic tip will beat up the tama more than normal.

Please note though - the sparkling green is the best colour I've ever seen. We saw some sneak peak while in Japan, and it's absolutely stunning. Video does NOT do it justice.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: kendamski on 24 October, 2013, 23:13:06
Any ideas or knowledge of what the paint is like? It looked rather slick from my opinion, but it is impossible to tell from a video.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Kendama+cliniK on 24 October, 2013, 23:51:41
The plastic spike seems to stick to the tama for birds, stilts, etc. I can only assume, but with wear and tear, couldn't that also get in the way of those same tricks though? ( I'm a broke ninja, making it harder to purchase replacements let alone the Kendama itself.)

Knowing from personal experience, if you super glue the tip with too much glue it tends to catch and stuff. I'm excited, don't get me wrong I want one, but it's a curious concern of mine.

I have yet to experience the beauty of an original Mugen... As much as they are going for it even adds more allure to the subject.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Evolderek on 25 October, 2013, 05:53:39
so for the Kendama and a replacement tip set its about $110 plus shipping. I have money set aside for a Terra Purple heart Kendama if I ever see one, but this looks great. may have to dip in and score one of these.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: primechicken on 25 October, 2013, 20:22:24
Still haven't decided whether I like the tips or not, but I guess I won't know until I try it myself. Gloken/Kazuma believes the tips will do less damage to the tama than normal, but we'll see I guess. Someone on the facebook kendama community suggested wooden tips. Anyone have an idea of how feasible that could be? Might be a solution/alternative to those who dislike the plastic tips.

Regardless, this puts even more hesitation on me to play my Earth Blue Mugen Musou, because they are so unique and different than public release heh. I Will probably end up with a sparkling green, cause having seen the earth blue in person, and how much photos cannot do it justice, I can only imagine how beautiful the sparkling green is.

@Evolderek You just might be able to get your hands on a Terra purpleheart kendama sooner than you think, and more readily available than before ;) Keep your eyes open.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Evolderek on 26 October, 2013, 05:44:55
Quote from: primechicken on 25 October, 2013, 20:22:24
Still haven't decided whether I like the tips or not, but I guess I won't know until I try it myself. Gloken/Kazuma believes the tips will do less damage to the tama than normal, but we'll see I guess. Someone on the facebook kendama community suggested wooden tips. Anyone have an idea of how feasible that could be? Might be a solution/alternative to those who dislike the plastic tips.

Regardless, this puts even more hesitation on me to play my Earth Blue Mugen Musou, because they are so unique and different than public release heh. I Will probably end up with a sparkling green, cause having seen the earth blue in person, and how much photos cannot do it justice, I can only imagine how beautiful the sparkling green is.

@Evolderek You just might be able to get your hands on a Terra purpleheart kendama sooner than you think, and more readily available than before ;) Keep your eyes open.

Thanks for the heads up man! I am constantly checking FB and Instagram for any new info  :D

Im not sure of the color way I want of the new Mugen. The Snow white is nice and subtle, but the green sparkle is amazing too.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Misterwhang on 27 October, 2013, 17:55:01
I know there will be the Sakura pearl color coming out next year but will there be anymore colors besides the 3 shown on the website? And I am guessing the price will stay around $80 USD...and the holsters...I love kendama and all but I would never pay $100+ for a simple holster no matter how limited they are.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: BKA on 28 October, 2013, 11:14:43
Probably safe to say the only people who know for sure about the possibility of more colours would be Iwata-san, and probably Gloken. And when they want you to know, they'll tell you.
It's fun to speculate though... we added a few colours to http://www.kendama.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,19.0.html (http://www.kendama.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,19.0.html) ....
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Coach_Styles on 28 October, 2013, 14:14:42
I really feel like the addition of a plastic tip is a bad idea. This is potentially a very slippery slope. The best kendama's I own are beat up. I would NEVER use an Oozora if I couldn't beat the heck out of the spike. Kendama is all about tradition and I'm worried that this may only be the beginning. What's next? Plastic cup rims?
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Dimensions on 28 October, 2013, 15:10:08
It seems to me that I am the only person who likes the idea of a plastic tip
Does anybody know if we can buy the new mugens from the GLOKEN shop of from the link the BKA gave us in the first post?
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: AlexSmith on 28 October, 2013, 19:40:45
The New Mugens will be available from GLOKEN exclusively.

The plastic tip is a hot topic in the kendama corner of the internet, seems like most people don't know what to make of it.
My gut feeling is that Kubota-san wouldn't make a product he didn't genuinely believe to be amazing quality, and he is someone who knows his way around a kendama better than you can imagine. That being said, my worries are that the tip will damage the tama more, or that there is the potential for it to break. Check out this photo I screen grabbed off Facebook, Akira-san drew a great picture that illustrates my worry, and a potential fix (to be fair, this may not even be a bit problem, so it may not need fixing. Everyone is still in speculation mode).

(http://i.imgur.com/yFVhDA2.png)

Seems like a good idea, though in reality the cross sectional area of the tip is pretty small, the fix might be too intricate to provide much additional strength at such a small scale. Remember though, this is all just speculation, I have no idea what the new Mugens are actually going to play like (though I would feel safe saying they'll probably jam just fine!)

Although I must say I am disappointed that there is not going to be an option to purchase individual tips. It'd be cool to buy a coloured one for customization, but I really wouldn't want to spend $30 on a six pack of colours I mostly won't want. Hopefully they'll make this an option!


I'll definitely be making my own wooden tips in the meantime. Something nice but soft, to help preserve the tama, maybe some birch or maple... :p

Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Coach_Styles on 28 October, 2013, 20:56:15
"I'll definitely be making my own wooden tips in the meantime. Something nice but soft, to help preserve the tama, maybe some birch or maple... :p"

@AlexSmith Please make these available on your website. It'd buy a maple tip in a heartbeat.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: BrandonYoder on 03 November, 2013, 21:23:30
Quote from: AlexSmith on 28 October, 2013, 19:40:45
I'll definitely be making my own wooden tips in the meantime. Something nice but soft, to help preserve the tama, maybe some birch or maple... :p



Ill probably be doing the same.
I have been neglecting my lathe for the past 5+ months:(
but the musou will hopefully give me enough inspiration to get back at it.

The cold weather always gets me in the mood to woodwork again as well.

Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Cliffdama on 06 November, 2013, 16:08:31
I ordered both. Can't wait to get them! Anyone knows if they are numberd?
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: mreasyguy on 07 November, 2013, 17:57:58
I doubt they will be numbered, if they are it will just be the box like the Earth blue's were.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Cliffdama on 07 November, 2013, 19:21:26
Yeah thats what i mean the box i ordered the second after they went up online so i hope for a low number :p
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Cliffdama on 10 November, 2013, 15:09:15
Yeahhhh... Tomorow they will be shipping all orders! Hope it doesn't take to long to get here!
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Coach_Styles on 14 November, 2013, 15:14:33
I got my sparkling green Mugen yesterday in the mail. I was initially blown away by how gorgeous it looked and felt. The tama looks awesome and the paint is perfect. My only issue is the weight differential between the ken and tama. It feels way off to me and it has made several tricks extra difficult. Has anyone else noticed this? Maybe the fact that it is a bit larger than a normal kendama is throwing me off.

I think I built it up in my head way too much. I ended up feeling a bit disappointed by the end of the night. That being said, I can't wait to get home from work and jam on it again haha. It's still a Mugen, it's still a work of art, and it was definitely worth the money.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: The Void on 14 November, 2013, 16:20:52
Heavier ball of heavier ken?
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Cliffdama on 14 November, 2013, 16:31:58
Hope i get mine tomorrow :). And maybe you need to get used to the size etc yes. :). But what ive heard / read is that they r pleyibg really nice. Hope that they where not all fanboys :p
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Dimensions on 14 November, 2013, 16:53:54
Hi guys what countries are you from? I would like to have an idea of when mine will arrive?
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Cliffdama on 14 November, 2013, 17:14:29
Netherlands here. Mine arrived in amsterdam yesterday but are still at customs.. Most of the time it takes 24/48hours to get through so if i'm lucky the are in my hands tomorrrow!
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Coach_Styles on 14 November, 2013, 19:37:40
I live in the United States in upstate New York. I got mine yesterday afternoon.

Quote from: The Void on 14 November, 2013, 16:20:52
Heavier ball of heavier ken?

It is very ball heavy. If I get my hands on a scale I will let you know the exact weights of both. I'm pretty disappointed at the moment but I am hoping it grows on me. I will definitely keep everyone posted.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: The Void on 14 November, 2013, 22:39:17
Well, I'd say it's at least better that way round than the other. I find a heavy ball is nice for Birds, etc. Still, if it's too much heavier, then yes, that's not that great.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Coach_Styles on 15 November, 2013, 15:13:00
Quote from: Coach_Styles on 14 November, 2013, 15:14:33
I got my sparkling green Mugen yesterday in the mail. I was initially blown away by how gorgeous it looked and felt. The tama looks awesome and the paint is perfect. My only issue is the weight differential between the ken and tama. It feels way off to me and it has made several tricks extra difficult. Has anyone else noticed this? Maybe the fact that it is a bit larger than a normal kendama is throwing me off.

I think I built it up in my head way too much. I ended up feeling a bit disappointed by the end of the night. That being said, I can't wait to get home from work and jam on it again haha. It's still a Mugen, it's still a work of art, and it was definitely worth the money.

Thoughts?

I'd like to retract some of what I said. I'm not sure why my first impression was so rough and I feel like I should've never even posted this without properly testing.

After playing with it for a couple hours last night I realized the weight between the tama and ken really isn't that off. I'll be able to get the exact weight of both tonight and I will definitely post about it. I think the transition from a traditional kendama to the newer/larger Mugen did throw me off. I realized I went through a similar process when I first bought a sweets with the Aisuru finish. I thought the heavy tama was awful and it really threw me off at first. After a week, it became one of my favorite kendamas ever.

I'm definitely not disappointed in any way. I really can't wait to break it in even more over the weekend.

My only complaint is that I can't have a Sakura Pearl yet! hahaha. (Obviously kidding.) They just look SO gorgeous. I can't wait for their release!
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: isaacsdad on 15 November, 2013, 21:36:11
Got my sparkling green yesterday (U.S.). First reactions: it should be called sparkling black, not green. Under anything short of direct sunlight, the color is that dark. And unfortunately, it has been overcast since yesterday. My tama weighs 74.7 grams; ken 74.5 (2.63 ounces). The notorious plastic tip is softer than wood. It is designed to not damage the tama, and I believe that dents from this tip are shallower and not as noticeable as from a natural wood tip. But the tip is so soft that IT shows signs of wear from contact with the tama hole edge. The Mugen Musou does come with an extra tip, as well as an extra string. Two surprises: first, the paint on this tama is incredibly grippy. It's awesome. More grippy than the Ozora sticky white tama. But second, and not so good to me, is that launching a Jumping Stick is a little bit...sticky. That is, it takes greater care to flip the ken smoothly out of the hole. Maybe it's my lousy technique, but compared to an Ozora, TK-16, Sweets Homegrown and any number of other kendamas, the Mugen is not as "smooth" in this respect. I suspect it has something to do with the plastic tip. Otherwise, as far as build quality and finish, the Mugen (no surprise) is as refined as any kendama I've handled--two dozen brands and models and counting--and more refined than most. 
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: Coach_Styles on 17 November, 2013, 12:41:16
So, I went to a friend's house that has a scale on Friday...

Sparkling Green Mugen Musou
Tama - 81.6g
Ken - 66.8g

Obviously I wish that those numbers were a bit closer. That being said, it is the way it is and I shouldn't waste time and energy thinking about it. I've been playing with it a ton over the last few days and it's really growing on me. I'm just hoping my next Mugen Musou is a little bit more balanced.

Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: HansNickmans on 09 December, 2013, 08:58:24
Those who missed out and can't afford the crazy auction prizes, goodsfromjapan is selling.
http://www.goodsfromjapan.com/mugen-musou-kendama-snow-gold-p-1635.html (http://www.goodsfromjapan.com/mugen-musou-kendama-snow-gold-p-1635.html)

I think this is a pretty decent price compared to what they get auctioned for. This is probably the fairest way to still get one if you really want to get these colours and can't wait for new ones.

Not that I'm buying, just letting you guys know.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: feelgoodandcarryon on 27 February, 2014, 06:27:58
dies anyone else have trouble taking the tips off? I tried to use the wrench but it doesn't cut it, any tips?
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: mrjuggles on 27 February, 2014, 18:43:38
Mine was a bit of a struggle to get off, you really have to get the wrench pretty far down on the tip for it to have a good grip.  I'm not sure I'm a fan of this new tip system, I've only played with mine for about an hour and the tip is already getting pretty scratched up from coming into contact with the edge of the hole on the tama.
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: shalafi on 13 February, 2015, 13:25:23
Let's resurrect a post that is has been quiet for a year.

I got my Sakura Pearl a week ago. It took me a while to decide if I wanted a musou or not. Finally I decided that the plastic tip was a good idea and went for it.

It is a heavy kendama all in all, I think mine has a slightly heavier tama but it's not too off. I lack a precision scale, so it is just personal impression.

Something people are not talking about is the hole on the base cup. It impacts the balance point for lunars, and it's amazing. This kendama is a Lunar magnet. Maybe the Grain Theory with the swoop are similar, but I haven't tried those.

The paint of the Sakura Pearl is also amazing. Appart from the visual finish, which is really impressive, it is sticky but not too much and the plastic tip helps on keeping it in great condition.

Does anyone know if they are numbered, and if so, where the number is?
Title: Re: Mugen Musou (Public availability)
Post by: PikWik on 13 February, 2015, 20:12:23
[user]shalafi[/user] - i believe the number is on the packaging. mine was on the sticker seal (#238)