Japan Kendama Association, Nagai branch

In 2004, the Japan Kendama Association held an event to mark the association’s 30th anniversary in the city of Nagai, where the factory that boasts the highest production of kendama in Japan can be found. The event was aimed at bringing together both young and old from outside the local area through various initiatives incorporating the kendama. Using this event as momentum, Nishine community center focused their efforts on the “Niji no mori (Rainbow forest) Kendama Academy” aimed at elementary school children, held every other Thursday evening. In addition, Nagai city also holds the “Education Minister’s Cup (west Tohoku region)”, coordinating with the other prefectural branches in Yamagata, and the yearly “Kendama Painting Contest”, an original Nagai event. The children of this area can enjoy the long tradition of kijishi (wood craftsmanship) through kendama to appreciate their hometown surrounded in the background of the Tohoku beech forests.