The Aritisans Behind MUGEN MUSOU

At MUGEN MUSOU, each kendama is brought to life by skilled craftsmen who combine deep tradition with modern innovation. While preserving the traditional woodworking techniques passed down through generations, we integrate modern technology with refined design to create high-quality and innovative products. Our team takes pride in every step of the process—selecting the finest wood, shaping each part with precision, and finishing with care—to deliver kendama that are not only functional, but also beautifully crafted.

President: Kazuma Iwata

As we stated in our company’s philosophy, we aim to move people’s hearts through our craftsmanship. As we pursue further mastery of our craft, there are always new discoveries. Therefore, we believe it is important to keep challenging ourselves, learning, and growing every day. Our main material is wood, so, like the rings of a tree, we will keep making steady efforts while being grateful to others, being proud of what we make, and having a desire to improve ourselves. I believe that this will lead us to becoming one-of-a-kind.
 

Selecting the materials and processing the lumber

I select materials with the wood grain and color in mind, aiming to bring out their natural beauty.
Since this is the first step in the process, I also check the dimensions and watch for any bending or warping to ensure smoother processing later on.

product design using a PC and machining

Since the type and condition of the wood require careful adjustments, just creating a prototype can take quite some time. But when the final product turns out beautifully and precisely, it makes me truly happy.

processing, paingting, and finishing materials

During processing, I use grinding machines to shape the materials and sharpen blades. In addition, I apply a finishing coat to the paint to enhance durability and appearance.
When processing, we make sure the shape remains consistent, and when sharpening blades, we aim to maintain their sharpness for as long as we can. When painting, I focus on achieving an even color and applying the paint in a way that even I find impressive.

 

Production Management and Polishing

The condition of the wood is always different, but we do our best to minimize individual variations and make each piece as close in shape as possible. Polishing parts like the ken and the sarado is especially challenging, as it requires a strong reliance on the sense of touch and careful visual inspection. That’s why we take great care to polish each piece by hand, focusing on usability and a pleasant, comfortable feel. 

Base Coating,  Assembling the kendama

When I apply the base coat, if I use too much paint, it could drip and mess up the shape. So, I make sure to prevent any drips, and by adjusting the thickness of the coating, I make the finish more durable and resistant to peeling, so it lasts longer.