New JKA kendama! Presenting the Meijin.

[John]

This afternoon Mahoto-san shared a link he discovered of the new JKA kendama called the Meijin. He said it's made by the Tamiwa factory, who make (made?) TK16s and are designed to be the successor. They are not the same as the Gentosha Standard One. There is very little public information about them yet except this post, it seems (those better in Japanese than myself are welcome to dig a little deeper!) so take it all in. It appears to be birch, the same as a TK16, but I may be wrong.

https://twitter.com/Taka_yoyo/status/829499571386486784

[John]

And check out that super shimmery seal! Looks like a teal colour.

[KenSan]

Hmm that seal does look nice.

They do look very TK16 from where I'm sitting. And if they are made in the same factory as the TK, I wonder if the JKA told them to pull their socks up and re branded them?

[John]

Yeah, I think the JKA will be observing the TK16 factory like a hawk from now on. I doubt there will be any more miscommunication or shenanigans with the shape. I expect the new kendama will be remarkably similar to a TK16 and essentially just take over from where the TK left off. I can't see the JKA doing anything radical with the new design!

[s070s]

from downspike

[AOÄ]

Just found one of these from a random toystore in Kuramae, Tokyo. Didn't know what it was but saw the seal and thought that why not. Came here for information and you guys delivired, thanks!

Just got back home and opened the package and actually I think this dama feels really nice. It's a bit on the heavy side, just like I like it (69,7/ken, 75/dama). The birch has a nice rough feel to it.

[The Void]

Glad we helped, @AOÄ . I think this looks incredibly like the TK16, but I don't have one. I'll have to pick one up next time I have the chance, along with the other new JKA ones, to go along with my single birch TK16. (Glad I managed to snag a couple of the special edition beech ones.)

[John]

Yeah, would love to get hold of a natural Meijin, if the TKs are anything to go by
Tell us how it plays @AOÄ !