Kendama Pyrography Gallery

This section of my artwork is a recent addition to my creative journey, which began in October 2024. My introduction to kendama, a traditional Japanese skill toy, came in 2023 at Badger Basscamp, a first-year music festival held in Hartsel, Colorado. A kendama consists of a wooden handle (the ken) with three cups, a spike, and a ball (the tama) attached by a string. The goal is to catch the ball in one of the cups or balance it on the spike, performing various tricks and stunts. Over the past decade, kendama has gained significant popularity worldwide, with increasingly complex tricks being showcased in competitions.

As I progressed in my kendama practice and learned more advanced tricks, I began sharing my passion for the toy with friends. They encouraged me to explore wood burning (pyrography) on the kendama, as the woods typically used in kendama production—such as maple, birch, padauk, and ash—are well-suited for burning. Inspired by their suggestion, I decided to try my hand at it, and that’s where my journey into kendama pyrography began.

The challenge of burning on a kendama is different from working on traditional wooden plaques due to the toy’s unique shapes, angles, and smaller size. Despite the added complexity, I embraced the challenge and have continued to experiment with different designs and techniques. I’m still in the process of discovering which woods I prefer for both the burning process and the natural aesthetics of the kendama.

While kendama pyrography is a niche aspect of my work, it’s an exciting and rewarding form of artistic expression that I plan to continue. However, my primary focus will likely remain on acrylic painting and plaque pyrography as my main creative outlets.

Thank you for exploring this collection of kendama-inspired art. I look forward to continuing to refine my skills and share new pieces with you in the future.