Wyandotte Teens, Adults Trade High-Tech Video Games for Old Wooden Stick

Wyandotte teens and adults have attached themselves to a growing craze sweeping the city. Kendama.

People can be seen in Downtown Wyandotte practicing Kendama on street corners, in front of businesses and at Bishop Park. Kendama is a game that dates back to the 16th century, according to Kendama.org.

Kendama.org describes Kendama as, "a Japanese toy consisting of a hammer-shaped handle connected by a string to a ball. Made of wood, the ends of the base and the crosspiece of the hammer are cupped so that they can catch the ball, and the ball has a hole in it that can fit on a spike on the end of the hammer."

The Japanese version of the game created in 1919 has become extremely popular among local young people, according to Glow Fish Studios owner Bruce Morse.

Morse, 44, of Wyandotte, and his wife, Vanessa Morse, purchased Biddle Gallery in June 2012 and converted it into a new art studio, which opened in March.

Bruce and Vanessa Morse are teachers at the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public School District, where a former student introduced them to the game.

“When we opened the store she said to me, ‘We’re going to sell Kendama,’” Bruce Morse said. “And I said, ‘No we’re not. We’re an art gallery.’”

Before long, Vanessa Morse convinced her husband to put a gift shop inside the art studio that offers different types of Kendamas. A box of about 100 Kendamas sold almost immediately and a new local craze was born.

“She was right,” Bruce Morse said.

Bruce Morse said he sells Kendamas more than any other item in his gift shop. The game makes up for a large portion of his foot traffic. Kendamas cost between $18 and $40 dollars.

"It brings people here and it lets them know we have art and art classes," Bruce Morse said.

Joshua Charles, 22, of Wyandotte, began playing Kendama about three years ago. Bruce Morse calls on Charles to serve as a local professional at Kendama tournaments and demonstrations put on by Glow Fish Studios.

Charles said his biggest hobbies were skate boarding and video gaming before his friend introduced him to Kendama about three years ago.

"I'm addicted," Charles said. "I like the creativity the most. There's so much stuff (tricks) that I don't even know about."

Now the unofficial hub for Kendama enthusiasts Downriver, Glow Fish Studios began holding Kendama tournaments. The first Glow Fish Studios Kendama tournament held in May attracted more than 200 participants. A tournament held on Saturday at the Downriver Council for the Arts was expected to draw close to 300 to 500 participants.

For more information about Kendama and upcoming Kendama tournaments contact Bruce Morse at Glow Fish Studios, 2840 Biddle Ave., 734-552-6323.