Want to Play?

      More Letters From Paradise
           Want to Play?
It's a Kendama. A two- century old wood toy from Japan.  It is a short turned wood shaft with a point on one end. There is also a short shaft with shallow cups at each end, forming a cross.  A wood ball with a hole drilled in one side, is attached to the crossed shaft by a long string.  The idea is to toss the ball in the air and try to move under the ball and catch it in one of the two cups, or even harder, catching it on the point of the shaft.  Some Kendamas are painted and sell for big bucks, $65. or so. Tonto found one for us on line for $15.  I found it pretty difficult, but learned that you don't swing the ball out in front, but simply toss the ball in the air and quickly move under it.   I  saw a very small boy in church today, who repeatedly caught the ball on the point of his Kendama.  I congratulated him, and ask how old he was.  He held up five fingers.  He and his brother said that they had owned them since Friday.
Kendamas have been banned from  the area schools because they may promote gambling. Also, there have been several Kendama competitions. Just think, no batteries required.
 
          Aloha
          Grant