The Kendama Forum

Forum categories => Gear => Topic started by: BKA on 14 July, 2011, 15:18:55

Title: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: BKA on 14 July, 2011, 15:18:55
The JKA have just announced (http://www.kendama.or.jp/posts/3183_jka1005.html) some new colours for the Oozora range. Presumably these replace the existing range (We know the light blue has already stopped production).

From the google translation: "The technique is easy to do a variety of Kendama well-balanced.". We heard a rumour recently which suggests this might be a new paint finish, slightly grippier.

Red, blue, yellow & grain. Expect to see them filtering in to your local supplier before too long.
(http://www.kendama.or.jp/wp-content/uploads/shop/2efce2d68d93a10dd95ac999701df92b.jpg)
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: AlexSmith on 14 July, 2011, 17:35:17
Saw a post about this a couple weeks ago on Facebook, I think someone snagged this photo from one of the Asian kendama forums.
Saying I'm excited to get my hands on a yellow oozora would be an understatement...

ALSO! This new line uses a different paint which is approved for use in N America. What this may mean is that websites (maybe even retail stores?) may be able to purchase oozoras straight from Yamagta Kobou. This may result in lowered prices (consider that in Japan damas cost between $10-15, as opposed to $25).
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Greg the Strangler on 14 July, 2011, 20:41:51
I don't know why we needed "new" colors. Everyone loved the green and the Sky Blue was a best seller everywhere! We all shred them here in the SF Bay Area.
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Harrydh3 on 15 July, 2011, 00:53:24
green, sky blue and pink were limited edition. I think. Or just not in production anymore...
i think i heard somwhere it was because they werent selling enough.
never the less they arent being made anymore.
they are simply now making a yellow.
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: AlexSmith on 15 July, 2011, 23:43:09
They weren't limited edition, they just stopped production for the new colours.

The old oozora paint was not approved for use in children's toys in N America. The new paint apparently is (which, like I said, will perhaps allow online companies to remove the middle man and thus lower prices).
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: sunnyD on 27 July, 2011, 20:34:22
On the paint finish oozora factory has confirmed that new models have more gloss and more grip. The JKA relaxed their opinions a little apparently after Japanese players requested a paint finish with more grip to allow the sport to progress at the highest level. That doesn't make it much easier for us mere mortals but is a move in the right direction. We should have them to bring to Munich and will be reporting back to the factory on the reactions in Europe.

The biggest middle man in the oozora story is the EMS postman charging maybe $250 for a 20kg box. Add local taxes of 7-20% and bingo, $20.
It is a complete mystery to me as to how Japanese shops can sell quality kendama at such a low price. Anyone know how?

Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: John on 31 July, 2011, 09:55:57
It looks like you'll still be able to get the baby blues for awhile, kendama-world alone still has over 100 of them in stock. The pinks and greens seem to have almost vanished completely, you can still get them from goodsfromjapan but at $30 a piece they're "chotto takai" as the Japanese would say...
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Damadude on 03 August, 2011, 14:35:40
With some luck we will have a couple of them at the EJC in Munich to try them out.
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: John on 03 August, 2011, 17:10:52
http://www.kendama.cz/ (http://www.kendama.cz/) still has all the old colours in stock too, priced at a not unreasonable €23 if you want to get your hands on one before they disappear completely. I grabbed a green one yesterday...
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Damadude on 03 August, 2011, 23:25:01
Even cheaper at Kendama Europe:
All Ôzora colours are available at € 18.75 at http://kendama.de/play_kendama/index.php?cPath=14 (http://kendama.de/play_kendama/index.php?cPath=14)
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Greg the Strangler on 07 August, 2011, 01:50:49
That red looks dark. Has anything been said about its hue? I would love a "wine" Oozora, but the picture on goodsfromjapan.com looks like a normal red.
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: AlexSmith on 07 August, 2011, 08:59:30
Goodsfromjapan.com has the new oozoras stocked. Ordered one a day or two ago (guess which color :p)
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: John on 08 August, 2011, 21:39:23
Make sure you let us know how it plays when you get it, Alex. Can't wait to try one of these badboys when they filter into a slightly cheaper shop, ha!

John.
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: AlexSmith on 09 August, 2011, 02:02:21
After shipping (to western Canada) they came to about $26 each I think.
Being in N America is kinda nice for buying kendamas. Can get decent shipping rates from the online shops in Europe and Asia. The most I've paid for shipping was probably from iPure... But they had rokurosens and metallic ooz so I went for it anyways.
Actually when we bought 4 Sweets Focus damas we were charged $30 in shipping. That was ridiculous
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Thorny on 16 August, 2011, 13:02:27
I was expecting a yellow one today but it doesn't look like it's going to be delivered today!
Tomorrow I guess it'll be then ¬_¬
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: AlexSmith on 16 August, 2011, 19:24:42
Alright so I've had this yellow oozora just under a week now, and here's my thoughts so far (perhaps I'll post a full review after I spend a little more time with it).
Paint looks really good. I had a yellow Battle before but the ooz just looks so vibrant and nice.
Paint plays very similar to the old oozora models, but seems to rub off onto the cups a little less, this could just be the short amount of time I've had it though. Quite grippy nonetheless.
The weight is one thing that changed. The balls are heavier, mine is just over 80g (compare to about 65g for the old models). I find this makes the ken seem lighter, which is kind of annoying. Suicide tricks are also a little strange due to the imbalance, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.
Overall great quality, I'm sure I don't need to convince anyone here to pick one up. It's an oozo afterall
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Thorny on 19 August, 2011, 21:33:44
My new Oozora (a yellow one) arrived yesterday and so far, I'm loving it so much.
It reminds me the Pink ball'd Oozora, in regards to the stickiness of the paint straight out the package.

Moonstall/Lighthouse tricks work a treat!
Probably one of my favourite kendamas now!
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: KendAlex on 19 August, 2011, 23:15:50
All the new color oozora kendamas are great.
the thickness of the paint is the same as the older leaf green ones, and the ball is also the dark wood, more dark then the light blue or the pink ones,
the new paint is more sticky then the old paint, i love it. very close to the mugens.
the color yellow and red are the same as the Mugen yellow and red, that is great too.
(maybe there will be a white Oozora too in the future, now the oozora factory makes yellow it is a small step, i can't give up hope on this one, haha)

i have a old leef green one that weight 83 gram, only the light blue and the pink are under the 80 gram, but i love heavy tama's  because you can do better landings on bird tricks and the slip ring special tricks.

I play yellow oozora from now on, it is my favorite.

Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: AlexSmith on 19 August, 2011, 23:23:28
A White oozora... Oh I would love that. White and yellow have always kind of been my favourite colors for tamas
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Greg the Strangler on 20 August, 2011, 06:32:24
I got my blue today: the color is amazing. I wont speak to the paint other than after a half day Ive landed lunar flips with semi-trouble. But the color is the same as a Shelby Cobra, shredder! True navy blue is awesome!
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Thorny on 20 August, 2011, 11:19:02
Quotemaybe there will be a white Oozora too in the future, now the oozora factory makes yellow it is a small step, i can't give up hope on this one, haha

When the pink and blue Oozora's ceased production I was talking to Nic Schopfer about what direction they might take now. I suggested perhaps a yellow or white like the mugens, Nic said he didn't think this was likely but here we are with the yellow :P
I hope they make a white too, personally. Although I also think white or yellow tamas will always look better with a blue sticker...
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: AlexSmith on 23 August, 2011, 03:09:11
Quote from: Thorny on 20 August, 2011, 11:19:02
Quotemaybe there will be a white Oozora too in the future, now the oozora factory makes yellow it is a small step, i can't give up hope on this one, haha

I hope they make a white too, personally. Although I also think white or yellow tamas will always look better with a blue sticker...

Hipster  :P
Title: Re: New colours: Oozora kendama
Post by: Thorny on 23 August, 2011, 10:53:41
Quote from: AlexSmith on 23 August, 2011, 03:09:11
Quote from: Thorny on 20 August, 2011, 11:19:02
Quotemaybe there will be a white Oozora too in the future, now the oozora factory makes yellow it is a small step, i can't give up hope on this one, haha

I hope they make a white too, personally. Although I also think white or yellow tamas will always look better with a blue sticker...

Hipster  :P


Pffftt. You wish you was this cool, Alex. :P

I like old vintage 'impossibly-rare' things, I'm sorry! haha