Japan's traditional 'kendama' cup-and-ball toys capture global attention

Hatsukaichi, a city in Hiroshima, is the birthplace of kendama, a traditional Japanese cup-and-ball toy. Kendama consists of a wooden handle with a spike, three cups, and a ball attached by a string. Kazuma Iwata, the 43-year-old president of Iwata Co., the sole remaining kendama manufacturer in Hatsukaichi, aims to elevate the value of the toy.

Kendama originated in the Edo period (1603-1867) as a ball and stick, and Hamaji Egusa from Kure developed the prototype with cups. Production began in Hatsukaichi in 1921, leveraging the city's renowned woodturning techniques. Demand waned by 1998, leading the municipal government to start producing kendama in 2000 at its Wood Utilization Center and collaborating with Iwata Co. to revive the toy.

Iwata, a university student skeptical about the declining demand, was inspired by children's enthusiasm at a local tournament. He began manufacturing kendama earnestly after graduation, focusing on user-friendliness and beauty. The company produced around 1,000 yen (about $6.20) kendama, even with slightly misshaped balls, by fine-tuning the final polishing process and wood grain coating.

Iwata's kendama gained popularity nationwide, with top finishers at national championships using them. The Hatsukaichi Municipal Government has since given one to every first-grade student in the city, emphasizing the toy's dual role as play and communication. In 2016, Iwata participated in a Guinness World Record attempt, and the following year, Swiss luxury watchmaker Franck Muller commissioned custom-made kendama, boosting its international recognition.

Iwata continues to prioritize both beauty and ease of use, incorporating traditional architectural techniques, such as shiguchi wood joinery, into the production process. His goal is to create enduring toys that inspire a sense of craftsmanship and joy.