Japan Kendama Association (JKA)

The Japan Kendama Association (JKA) was established in 1975 with the purpose of promoting Kendama awareness and heritage, and to encourage Kendama play and the development of Kendama waza (techniques). JKA is the largest Kendama organization in Japan. The JKA wants to share the enjoyment of Kendama not only within Japan, but also all over the world.

The JKA organizes kendama competitions and awards martial arts style kyu and dan level skill rankings to kendama players. The JKA also oversees the design of the "competitive kendama."

JKA licensed competitive kendama

The competitive kendama, also called the "official kendama," dates back to 1975 when the JKA was founded. Kendamas were originally considered toys, and each maker produced different designs, sizes, and balance points. The JKA approved a design of one of the inventors associated with the JKA and that became the official design for competitions. Today almost all of the core design elements are in the public domain, the JKA still licenses its approved design to kendama makers, who are then permitted to put an official JKA seal the to base of the kendama handle. At present only a few companies produce JKA official kendamas.

Oozora

The Oozora is the current brand of JKA licensed kendama manufactured by Yamagata Koubou, and is the only JKA certified kendama still manufactured in Japan.  The Oozora replaces their previous model, the Shin Fuji, which replaced the Fuji. The Rokurosen was a cosmetic variation of the Shin Fuji.

TK16 Master

The TK16 Master is the other main currently produced JKA licensed kendama, produced in China. A smaller version of the TK16, the Junior, is manufactured and has a variation of the JKA seal, but is not approved for use in JKA sanctioned competitions or rankings.

Shin Fuji

The Shin Fuji is the final currently produced JKA licensed kendama, produced in the Kanagawa Prefecture. This used to be produced by Oozora, but now is a seperate entity although there is still some uncertantity.

Kendama Organizations

• Japan Kendama Association (JKA), Japan
• British Kendama Association, including a players' forum, UK
• European Kendama Association (EKA), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• Kendama USA — American Kendama Association, United States
• Balero Players’ Association — International, United States
• Federacion Internacional de Balero, Mexico
• Fédération Internationale de Bilboquet, France
• Kendama forum, kendama.freeforums.ms
• Kendama USA, United States
• Kendama Co, United States
• Kendama DK, Denmark