Kendama combines the Japanese words ken: stick & tama: ball

Similar toys around the world include balero (S. America) and biblioquet (France)

Current World Record: 70,000 moshikame (tossing ball cup to cup) by Yusuke Ito

Pictures of jugglers appear on pyramids in Egypt (that is over 4000 years old!)

Jugglers entertained noblemen during the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Current World Record: 12 beanbags for 12 catches by Bruce Sarafian in 1996

Diabolo combines the Greek words dia: across & bollo: to toss or throw

Invented in China and sometimes called a Chinese Yo Yo

Current World Record: 5 diabolos with one string

Spinning Plates were a popular act during Vaudeville (1880's-1920's)

Chinese circus acts combine plate spinning with acrobatics

Current World Record: 108 spinning plates at once by David Spathaky

Marco Polo, a European explorer, brought the toy from China to Europe

The 'flower' at each end slows the spin and makes cooler tricks possible

A popular trick is the propeller where the center stick is spun on 1 hand stick