Monster Kendama Guide
Big cup is the ideal first kendama trick. It teaches a straight pull, level cup and soft catch—the same mechanics that support harder tricks later. The goal is not to throw the tama high; it is to make the path predictable.
Set up the trick
Use ken grip with the big cup facing upward. Let the tama hang still and keep the string free. Position the kendama around waist height with your elbow relaxed.
Make sure you know which cup is larger. Starting with the big cup gives you the widest landing area.
Pull and catch
Bend your knees, then rise smoothly while lifting the ken. The tama should travel mostly straight upward with minimal spin. As it reaches just above the cup, lower your body and let the cup meet it from underneath.
Watch the tama, not the cup. Keep the cup level and finish with bent knees.
Fix the three common misses
If the tama flies away from you, reduce arm swing and pull vertically. If it bounces out, bend as it lands. If it hits the rim, keep the cup level and make a smaller pull.
Reset fully after each miss. Repeating a rushed setup trains inconsistency.
Build repeatable control
Try five sets of five attempts. Count clean catches, but also note whether every pull stayed straight. When you can land big cup reliably, connect big cup to small cup and base cup.
Frequently asked questions
How high should I pull the tama?
Only slightly above the cup is enough. Lower pulls are easier to control.
Why does my tama spin?
The ken may be moving sideways or the string may be twisted. Start from a still hang and pull vertically.
What comes after big cup?
Learn small cup, base cup and spike, then combine them into around-the-world style sequences.