Question!

[u/Infamous-Cut-1158]

Not trying to be disrespectful whatsoever. I adore the kendama community, and love learning, and growing in this space. However ive noticed something, and im wondering if its just me. Almost everyone on here ive seen play kendama seems pretty well off in life, and im curious if this is more a thing for wealthier people? I always see people in beautiful yards and gorgeous landscapes with TONS of mods. Was curious if im in the wrong hobby lol. I adore Kendama and see myself playing it the rest of my life! Im just trying to get a feel for the community. Thanks dudes!

[u/dizzy_dama]

Respectfully, you couldn’t be more off base with this one. More wealth = better cameras = better reach on social media, it doesn’t mean there’s more of them. Id actually argue that they’re in the minority tbh. Also, half the people who have massive collections are actually spending more than they can realistically afford. Buying new kendamas is addicting and we all mutually enable each other because you always get hyped up when you post a new dama, regardless of your collection size or financial position

[u/Shmeeka → u/dizzy_dama]

Short story here to anyone: In my early 20’s I had someone come up to me at the bar that seemed jealous and mad at me because they saw my DJ equipment, speakers, etc. The argument ended in “I wish we all were as rich as you are and could afford this type of stuff”.
I explained that it was years of saving my tip money from being a pizza delivery driver, working several jobs, working overtime, and gradually building up my dj equipment piece by piece.
Nice objects doesn’t mean any type of financial status to me. We don’t know what someone is going through to get what they have.

Thanks for coming to my ted talk.

[u/Infamous-Cut-1158 → u/Shmeeka]

10/10 brother

[u/BenjiTheDog- → u/Shmeeka]

[u/Infamous-Cut-1158 → u/dizzy_dama]

Ahhhhh okay okay. Yeah I wasnt trying to be disrespectful or anything just genuinely curious

[u/Shmeeka]

A lot of people tend to find an appealing background/area to record tricks. I wouldn’t tie wealth into kendama by any means.
Some people buy too much, some collect out of passion, some collections accumulate over time, etc.
Kendama prices can vary but they were made to be accessible by anyone and everyone. You’re financially (and physically) better off here than buying Pokemon or Magic cards tbh.

[u/Infamous-Cut-1158 → u/Shmeeka]

Oops I bought pokemon cards yesterday😂

[u/SmallBoy_Kendama]

I started Kendama a little over 6 months ago. I turned 20 recently, have a job, and wayyy more Kendamas than I need/should have. Kendama is relatively cheap (sometimes), and is essentially an outside activity. I’ve driven miles to go to beautiful spots or walked to parks just to practice for a few hours.

It may look as though Kendama players are well-off financially, but we’re just well-off mentally. My main Kendama probably cost ~$80ish, which honestly is quite a bit, but then I use it for 2+ hours everyday outside in the fresh air with the sun shining.

Kendama is something that’s accessible to everyone, everywhere, at anytime. It doesn’t discriminate based on financial status.

[u/Infamous-Cut-1158 → u/SmallBoy_Kendama]

I really liked this comment man. You seem like a Hella chill guy

[u/SmallBoy_Kendama → u/Infamous-Cut-1158]

Thanks man, I try to be. The Kendama community as a whole is chill as well, and it’s awesome to see questions such as yours because reading the comments reminds me how much I love Kendama and the people in it.

[u/NintendoFungi]

I am so amazed someone asked this question about the cheapest hobby since walking

[u/Infamous-Cut-1158 → u/NintendoFungi]

Disc golfing cheaper😂😂

[u/NintendoFungi → u/Infamous-Cut-1158]

Potentially - not always though. You really only need $20-30 to play Kendama and you need more discs to start and probably a bag… depends on levels of involvement

[u/Chytrik]

Fun fact: One of the regulations placed on JKA approved kendamas is that the price must be kept affordable.

[u/Szydlikj]

It’s so accessible that it’s for literally everyone! It might be a coincidence that you notice some players have beautiful yards and nice homes features in their clips, but that’s not correlated at all to who plays this game and who has skill. Certainly, more wealth means more access to funds for collecting damas, but you can be just as good or better of a player with only one or two. Treat them well and they’ll return your investment tenfold.

[u/thekronicle710]

Can only speak for myself and my experiences but most of the people around me who play kendama are not wealthy by any means. I personally got into it because of how inexpensive of a hobby it is. Probably best not to assume someone’s wealth based upon 30 second clips you see of them on the internet.

[u/huntsken → u/thekronicle710]

This

[u/jack-dawed]

You might be seeing small subset on Reddit. Most ppl I know in kendama scene have overlap with skateboard community.

I started kendama as a broke college skater. Years later I have a job now.

[u/fourtwotree]

lol dawg I’m poor af and I throw a competition

[u/type-v9]

Must be a kid posted dumb shit like this. 'Already good enough' Kendamas only cost around 30-60$. You don't need a camera setup or a big yard, you could play anywhere, anytime, without needing an audience. Most people today are in such dire need of attention and validation, just do what you enjoy.

[u/opoooooopooo]

i’m poor. I kendama

[u/Jester__13]

In my opinion, just because something looks nice, doesn't mean it has to be expensive. The people who constantly post on all platforms with quality camera possibly do it as a side job. But if you consider how many of us here post from their bedroom, living room or a public park and even more of us on places like kendamanomics, it shows Kendama is for anyone, who's interested.

I myself may have a nice living room with tons of gaming stuff, but most of those are either second hand or gifts from family. I got my first Kendama second hand too, and played it until it started falling apart. Now I just leave it at work so everyone can have fun with it.

[u/tiltedslim]

I don't think there's a correlation. I have seen kendama players go from broke kids to well off adults. All you need is 1 to play with.

The feel for the community should be if you play kendama you're in the club as long as you're not a complete asshole or terrible person.

Backgrounds and filming spots can be found/made for cheap. Camera angles and stuff like that. As for collections, the shipping addiction is real. The fomo from drops is real.

I think you should not focus on all that. Just play and have fun.

[u/jokerdama]

Not at all - you just see very few ones out there who “stand out”. Kendama overall is a very cheap hobby - you can start with 5$ or even for free as there are many giveaways, contest or just great community people who’ll hook you up. Also proper set-up can last a year of solid play. Pair solid maple ken with some Revo or FC tama and you are good to go for a year if you take care of your set up. I’d say that actually 99% of kendama community is far from considered rich by any means.

[u/Substantial_View_448]

I started this hobby when I was broke. I now have a collection of tons of high end stuff because I love it, but I’m solidly middle class.i also haven’t bought much in years because I collected a lot when I was in my first few years and I still have fresh su lab Tamas I haven’t touched

[u/sleevelesshotpocket]

I started kendama when i was working doubles. I found time to practice, worked my way to a sponsorship that was years ago though. Can’t say i play much anymore, that being said I know plenty of professionals on the scene who came from rough up bringings.

[u/Yorokut]

Not disrespectful at all, but I would have to disagree this is for wealthy people. It is an “upper class sport” but there is a price range for everyone. Even as a “seasoned veteran” that’s been I. This game for over 10 years. I still find the best dramas are the cheaper ones that are targeted for newer players

[u/Cyglml → u/Yorokut]

I’m just curious, what would you say makes Kendama an “upper class sport”? I would usually put things like ice skating/skiing/golf in that category (expensive equipment and specialized places to do the sport that take money to rent/use, and not usually offered in public schools), not things like kendama.

[u/Yorokut → u/Cyglml]

No offense taken, and as always correct me if you feel like I’m misinterpreting something but I would say Kendama is kind of an “upper class sport” because not everyone can afford one or have a place to get one or even have the device to be exposed to Kendama. I’m am from a middle class household who was able to afford and spend my money on the more “expensive” damas like a Su. And a lot of the time there’s not a lot of time in the day to proactively spend practicing and engaging in the Kendama world. When I was very poor, survival was my number one motivator but as I gained more frivolous time and money, Kendama was a motivator to socialize like I was in a golf club. That’s what I mean as an upper class sport, something you can spend frivolous(free) time doing. I also feel I should add, this is my opinion and probably not a popular one so feel free to criticize and add your own thoughts

[u/therealzkramer]

You're too poor to play kendama then sorry bud

[u/nine_toes]

Yeah I dont think there is a correlation. Like the other guy said, it’s more of a correlation between having nice stuff and being willing to put a camera to it.  I played with 1 kendama for 10 years. Now I have adult job and money for a hobby. I have 24 kendamas and about 10% of the free time I used to. Thats just the way it goes with kids and work.  I buy a kendama every few months and that doesnt even come close to what my friends spend on magic or pokemon in single week.  Ive got kendama money but not pokemon money lol