The NAKO 2023 Kendama Trick List: A Comprehensive Guide

The North American Kendama Open (NAKO) is back for 2023, and kendama enthusiasts worldwide are gearing up to showcase their skills. Sweets Kendama’s has released the official trick list for each division, and we’ve got the complete breakdown for you all in one place. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you prepare for the competition.

Beginner Division

For those just starting their kendama journey, the beginner division offers a mix of foundational tricks:

Beginner Trick List:

1. Candlestick
2. Bottom cup
3. Small cup
4. Big cup
5. Moshikame x 5
6. Frying pan – spike
7. Big cup – bungee – big cup
8. Big cup – orbit – big cup
9. Easy spike – earth turn
10. Spike – flying top – spike
11. Around japan
12. Airplane
13. Spike ( no spin )
    

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Intermediate Division

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR3uodSbh5M

Intermediate players can expect a step up in complexity with tricks that test precision and coordination:

Intermediate Trick List:

1. Around the world
2. Base cup – downspike
3. Nightingale – in
4. Airplane – jumping stick
5. Lighthouse – in
6. Stuntplane
7. Hanging Airplane
8. Half Space Walk to Airplane
9. Down Spike – Sara Grip Earth
10. Small cup – knee bounce – bottom cup – in
11. Gunslinger to spike
12. Big cup – ken flip – little cup – in
13. Reverse Frying pan slip on stick
    

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Advanced Division

For those who have honed their skills and are looking for a challenge, the Advanced Division offers a set of tricks that demand mastery and finesse:

Advanced Trick List:

1. Around USA
2. Inward Whirlwind
3. Lighthouse – Inward lighthouse flip – tradespike
4. Down spike – base cup – airplane – jumping stick
5. Ringstall – spike
6. Switch lighthouse – trade spike
7. Downspike fast hands
8. Underbird – over the valley – spike
9. Lunar flip – in
10. Airplane – double jumping stick
11. Ax – In
12. Spacewalk in ( no spin )
13. One Turn Airplane
    

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Am Open Division

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKy2f_pnLP0

The Am Open Division is designed for ambitious players looking to push their limits:

Am Open Trick List:

1. Hanging 1 turn lunar – in
2. Lunar – double inward lunar flip – tradespike
3. Airplane – triple jumping stick
4. Spacwalk trade spike
5. Penguin airplane j stick
6. Goon circle spike
7. Inward lunar backflip – in
8. Lighthouse – trade underbird – IN
9. Downspike juggle downspike
10. Around stalls
11. Handle stall – Ring stall – in
12. Double juggle to spike
13. Stuntplane -double stunt flip either way
14. Ax flip – in
15. Stilt – lighthouse – stilt – trade downspike
16. Candle jiggle candle trade spike TO AIRPLANE
17. Double Inward Whirlwind
18. Dub tap lighthouse – double LIGHTHOUSE flip – trade spike
19. Around the ken flip
20. Airplane – two turn out to stilt – in
21. Triple Jumping Stick
    

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Girls Open Division

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5fUxZ_rExg

Celebrating the talented female kendama players, the Girls Open Division features a diverse set of tricks:

Girls Open Trick List:

1. 1. Spacewalk – One Turn Airplane
   2. Lighthouse Stuntplane
   3. Inward Lunar – Trade Downspike
   4. Lunar – Double Lunar Flip – In
   5. Ring Stall – Nightingale – in
   6. Kenflip – Juggle – Spike
   7. Downspike – Juggle – Downspike
   8. Stuntplane Fast Hands Insta Whirlwind
   9. Switch Bird – In
   10. Hanging One Turn Lighthouse
   11. Inward Stilt – In
   12. Lighthouse – flip tap in
   13. Double Jumping Stick
   14. Lunar Tre Flip – In
   15. Goon Circle – spike
   16. Bird over valley x 2 – in
   17. Juggle x 3 – spike
   18. Double whirlwind
   19. Lightning drop trade spike
   20. Special grip stall – spike any way
       

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Open Division (Three Tiers)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_ORh5KN5bY

The Open Division stands as the zenith of the NAKO 2023 competition, presenting a triad of levels, each escalating in intricacy and challenge:

Open Division Trick List:

First Tier

1. Double Lunar Flip
2. 3 x insta lighthouse flips
3. Around Underbird
4. 360 Lunar Rover
5. Goon Circle 1.5 throw to airplane
6. Penguin Handlestall forward flip in
7. Inward Lunar Tre Flip
8. Switch Underbird In
9. Hanging Downspike Fasthands
10. Juggle Candle – 1.5

Second Tier

12. 2 turn lighthouse – double lighthouse flip – in
13. Double Handlestall Flip
14. 1 turn tapback airplane – tap airplane (now 1)
15. Sweets Special Juggle Spike
16. Inward Lunar Barrel Roll
17. Lightning drop Trade Spike
18. Inward 1 turn stuntplane – stunt plane flip – inward stunt flip
19. Gunslinger – Juggle – Late Kenflip Spike
20. Inward Lunar – tap – tap – cushion tap inward lunar – in
21. Inward Stilt Backflip

Third Tier

22. Spacewalk Inward Lunar – trade down fast hands
23. Reverse 4 corners
24. Trip tap jug spike
25. Inward juggle, ghost juggle, regular juggle
26. 1-2-3 whirlwind
27. Insta Gunslinger Downspike, Insta Juggle Downspike, Insta throw airplane
28. Double Lunar Tre
29. Triple kenflip throw airplane – triple jumping stick
30. Stilt Barrel Roll
31. Bird – 2 flip juggle bird
    

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    With this comprehensive trick list, competitors can start their training and preparation. Whether you’re competing or just watching, the NAKO 2023 promises to be an exciting event for kendama players and fans alike.