Kendama USA
Kendama USA, founded in 2006 and based in Marietta, Georgia, designs, manufactures, and sells wooden kendama skill toys directly to consumers and through global wholesale retail channels, serving hobbyists, schools, and pro-level players.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersMarietta, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kendama USA does
Kendama USA is a US-based designer, manufacturer, and retailer of kendamas (Japanese wooden skill toys). Founded in 2006 in Marietta, Georgia, the company self-positions as "America's Original Kendama Company" and operates a hybrid DTC/wholesale model reaching consumers and retailers in at least nine countries (USA, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Poland, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Israel).
The product portfolio spans four in-house lines: Craft Kendamas (premium, handmade in the USA from sustainably sourced North American hardwoods in an owned commercial woodworking shop), Kaizen Kendamas (affordable entry-level), Pro Model Kendamas (signature designs from sponsored professional players), and Terra Kendamas (simple/skillful entry points). The company also distributes Japanese brand Ozora's REShape line and sells accessories, replacement tamas starting at $9.99, apparel, and gift cards. Pro Models retail at approximately $40, with custom shapes, paints, and performance tuned to each sponsored player.
The business model is e-commerce-first (shop.kendamausa.com) supported by a global wholesale channel with UPC-ready packaging, drop-shipping capability, and sub-1-business-day fulfillment. Marketing is community-driven through a Pro Team and Tribe Team producing trick tutorials, video edits, and sponsored tournaments (DamaFest, Battle at the Border, NAKO, Catch & Flow, Sakura Classic, Parks & Rec Tour, All Girls Kendama Open). Major-media coverage (ABC, CBS, Fox, USA Today, The Japan Times) and an emphasis on the toy as a screen-time alternative and physical-skill builder support a customer base spanning beginner hobbyists, intermediate-to-advanced players, retail stores, and schools/youth programs.
Kendama USA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kendama USA
- Legal name
- Kendama USA
- Website
- https://kendamausa.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kendama USA, founded in 2006 and based in Marietta, Georgia, designs, manufactures, and sells wooden kendama skill toys directly to consumers and through global wholesale retail channels, serving hobbyists, schools, and pro-level players.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kendama USA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wooden Skill Toys
- NAICS
- Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (33993), Wood Product Manufacturing (321)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wargaming Miniatures (Tabletop Armies) (CRALAKAC)
Keywords
Where Kendama USA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Marietta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kendama USA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Sales: Primary revenue stream through owned online storefront (shop.kendamausa.com) selling kendamas, accessories, and apparel directly to consumers. Product categories include Kaizen (affordable), Pro Models, Craft (premium USA-made), Terra, and accessories.
- Wholesale to Retail: B2B wholesale channel supplying kendamas to retail stores globally. Features colorful retail packaging and UPC-ready products.
- Accessories and Apparel: Supplementary revenue from custom accessories and branded apparel including shirts, sticker packs, and gift cards.
- Pro Model Licensing: Pro models designed by sponsored players create value through player association and limited edition releases.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pro Model Kendamas - $40 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tama Only Options - Starting at $9.99 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Kaizen Kendamas - Affordable tier |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Craft Kendamas - Premium USA-made |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kendama USA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kendama USA designs, manufactures, and sells kendamas (traditional Japanese wooden skill toys) through its own e-commerce store and a global wholesale network. The company offers four product lines: Craft Kendamas (premium handmade-in-USA models using sustainably sourced North American hardwoods), Kaizen Kendamas (affordable entry-level models), Pro Model Kendamas (signature designs by professional players), and Terra Kendamas, along with accessories, apparel, and replacement parts. The company also distributes Japanese brand Ozora kendamas in the US market.
Product overview
Kendama USA operates as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer and wholesale distributor specializing in kendama products. Their portfolio includes four main kendama product lines: (1) Craft Kendamas - premium, handcrafted-in-USA models using sustainably sourced North American hardwoods with in-house design; (2) Kaizen Kendamas - affordable models for all skill levels available in Shift and Slim shapes; (3) Pro Model Kendamas - signature models designed by professional team players; and (4) Terra Kendamas - marketed as simple, accessible options. The company also distributes Japanese brand Ozora kendamas. Beyond kendamas, they sell accessories, apparel, and gift cards. They operate exclusively online at shop.kendamausa.com and offer wholesale programs for retailers globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kaizen Kendamas: Affordable Kendamas for players of all levels.
- Craft Kendamas
- Terra Kendamas
- Pro Model Kendamas
Products and services
- Kaizen Kendamas Affordable kendamas designed for players of all skill levels, available in multiple shapes (Shift, Slim, Luna) with accessible price points.
- Pro Model Kendamas Signature kendamas designed in collaboration with professional kendama players on the Kendama USA Pro Team, each representing the designer's personal style with custom shapes, premium paints (Silk, Super Stick), and tailored specifications.
- Terra Kendamas (The Terra Pill) Kendamas marketed as 'Simple. Skillful. Fun.' providing an accessible entry point to kendama play.
- Craft Kendamas Premium handcrafted kendamas made in the USA using sustainably sourced North American hardwoods (maple, ash, black walnut, hickory). Designed in-house through Kendama USA's own commercial woodworking shop, available in multiple shapes (Nova, etc.) and painted variants.
- Kendama Accessories World-class accessories to customize kendama setups, including replacement strings, tamas, sticker packs, and kendama-specific gear.
- Tama Only Replacement Parts Individual replacement tamas available for all Kaizen kendama styles, starting at $9.99, allowing players to replace damaged parts or build custom setups.
- Kendama Apparel Kendama-themed clothing including t-shirts featuring signature designs like the Seal Logo Tee, marketed as part of the product ecosystem.
- Gift Cards Digital gift cards available for purchase, allowing customers to give kendama products as gifts.
- Ozora Kendamas (US Distribution) Kendamas from Japanese manufacturer Ozora, including the REShape line featuring larger cups and semi 70/30 fade, distributed by Kendama USA in the US market.
- Wholesale Program Wholesale distribution program for retailers, offering dozens of styles from entry-level kendamas to Pro Models with colorful retail packaging, UPC codes, and fast fulfillment.
Quantifiable outcome
- Players can learn tricks from beginner to advanced levels through free tutorial content
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Kendama USA
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Kendama USA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Kendama USA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sol KendamascoreCollaborative partnership for the 2022 Parks & Rec Tour visiting 5 National Parks over 2 weeks with a squad of 8 players. Joint event hosting and community building initiatives. Also partnered for Battle at the Border tournament.
- Sweets KendamascoreMajor competitor brand with shared community presence. Co-sponsors events and competitions. Sweets team members participate in KUSA events. Major event sponsor for NAKO and other tournaments.
- Terra KendamaminorListed as sponsor for National Kendama Retreat 2015. Partner brand in the kendama community ecosystem.
- GlokencoreJapanese kendama organization and event promoter. Co-hosts events including Japan visits, Sakura Classic, and international collaborations. Key partner for Japanese market connection.
- KROM KendamaminorSpanish kendama brand. Featured collaboration video with KROM POPs. Pro team member Colin Sander partnered for dual edit content.
- Ozora KendamaminorJapanese kendama manufacturer. Kendama USA distributes Ozora products in the US market including the REShape line developed by Ryoichi Suzuki.
- Royal RummelminorKendama brand featured in Dave Mateo's 70/30 Split Kendama collaboration. Special shape designed for improved tracking.
- Roots, BLK, Lion Head, KendamaCO, LYONKEN, AKO, 44RPM, DealwithitSF, KendamaMastaz, KenLab, Kendama SyndicateminorVarious community sponsors listed for National Kendama Retreat 2015 and other events. Local and regional kendama brands and organizations supporting community events.
- Girls Kendama CollectiveminorFemale-focused kendama community organization. Partnered for All Girls Kendama Tour and female player development initiatives.
- Mental DrawingsminorPolish online kendama store focused on community events and hooking up local players. Connected to KUSA through community support.
- International Jugglers' Association (IJA)minor75-year-old juggling organization hosting the World Juggling Championships where Hong Kong youth won using kendama techniques. KUSA featured at IJA Festival.
- Learning Express ToysminorRetail toy store partner featured in wholesale page imagery as example of retailers selling Kendama USA products.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kendama USA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sweets Kendamas: US-based kendama brand and Kendama USA's most direct competitor. Operates a similar pro-team and tournament-driven community model, sells premium and entry-level kendamas, and frequently co-sponsors events like NAKO with Kendama USA.
- KROM Kendama: Spanish kendama brand with global distribution and a strong pro team. Direct competitor in the premium kendama segment and a collaboration partner of Kendama USA's Pro Team member Colin Sander.
- Ozora Kendama: Japanese manufacturer and original kendama producer. Both a Kendama USA distribution partner (Ozora products sold in the US through KUSA) and a competing brand in the wooden skill toy market.
- Sol Kendamas: US-based kendama brand collaborating with Kendama USA on the Parks & Rec Tour and Battle at the Border events. Operates similar community and pro-team-driven go-to-market approach.
- Terra Kendama: Competitor kendama brand, also a Kendama USA community sponsor. Overlapping audience and product positioning in the entry-level and lifestyle kendama segment.
- Kendama Co: Kendama brand competing in the same US specialty toy market, with community-driven marketing and pro-team endorsement strategy similar to Kendama USA.
- Royal Kendama: Kendama brand featured in KUSA Pro Team collaborations (Dave Mateo's 70/30 Split kendama). Operates a similar direct-to-consumer e-commerce model and pro-driven product line.
- Roots Kendama: Community sponsor and competitor in the US kendama scene, overlapping on events, content marketing, and beginner-to-pro product range.
Broad incumbents
- Yomega: Established US skill-toy brand best known for yo-yos. Comparable as a broader 'hand-skill toy' incumbent targeting similar demographic of children, hobbyists, and screen-time-alternative buyers.
- Duncan Toys: Iconic US toy brand and yo-yo originator (owned by Flinn Scientific). Comparable as a heritage specialty toy company with multi-channel toy retail distribution and similar hobby/skill-toy positioning.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kendama USA social profiles
Digital presenceKendama USA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kendama USA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Kendama USA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kendama USA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kendama USA
What does Kendama USA do?
Kendama USA designs, manufactures, and sells kendamas (traditional Japanese wooden skill toys) through its own e-commerce store and a global wholesale network. The company offers four product lines: Craft Kendamas (premium handmade-in-USA models using sustainably sourced North American hardwoods), Kaizen Kendamas (affordable entry-level models), Pro Model Kendamas (signature designs by professional players), and Terra Kendamas, along with accessories, apparel, and replacement parts. The company also distributes Japanese brand Ozora kendamas in the US market.
Is Kendama USA a public or private company?
Kendama USA is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Kendama USA founded?
Kendama USA was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kendama USA based?
Kendama USA is headquartered in Marietta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kendama USA make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale to Retail, accessories and Apparel and pro Model Licensing.
Who are Kendama USA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sweets Kendamas, KROM Kendama, Ozora Kendama, Sol Kendamas, Terra Kendama, Kendama Co, Royal Kendama and Roots Kendama. Broad incumbents are Yomega and Duncan Toys.
Does Kendama USA have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kendama USA.
What industry is Kendama USA in?
Kendama USA's product category is Wooden Skill Toys. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALAKAC, Wargaming Miniatures (Tabletop Armies). Its NAICS code is 33993 and its SIC code is 3944.