Japan Technology - Kamui

An expert's dream off string yo-yo, Japan Technology's Kamui.

Up until now, off string has been developed by players matching their styles to the yo-yos offered by the makers. From the midst of all this, the Kamui has risen from Hokkaido in Japan's north, spearheaded by world-class off string player Atsushi Yamada. To develop the ultimate off string yo-yo, Yamada has gathered opinions and experiences from several professional players in order to make the best possible yo-yo for them. Kamui mean "god" in Hokkaido's native Ainu language, and the Kamui indeed is a yo-yo fit for the gods.

Amongst off string yo-yos, it is by far the most expensive, but advanced players will quickly realize the true value of the Kamui as the absolute best off string yo-yo available. Unlike most off string yo-yos which are made by injected mold plastics, the Kamui is machined from a solid block of delrin plastic. This gives a smooth spin reminiscent of a full metal yo-yo, and eliminates any seams which could interfere with play. It's slightly larger than other off string yo-yos, with a wide shape for safe landings. It uses YYJ Large size bearings for optimum compatibility, so you can choose your favorite bearing to use. Its utilization of O-rings and spacers makes it highly configurable, so you can choose the settings that work best with your particular style of play. This is the yo-yo that adjusts to you, instead of the other way around.

The Kamui has been thoroughly tested for strength, as durability is important in an off string yo-yo. Starting with the second generation, the axle has been thickened slightly to give even more strength. Another key point in this design is that unlike other off string yo-yos, the Kamui bounces straight back up if it hits the ground, making recapture much easier. This is super important during contests, where a quick recovery can mean the difference between victory and defeat. It also has a clear advantage for practice: less time spent chasing yo-yos around is more time actually improving your skills.

The Kamui also breaks with tradition in that it doesn't come with any string, recognizing the fact that most players willing to buy such a high-quality logo probably already have their string preferences. Yamada Atsushi, Ohnishi Tsubasa, Kagawa Yohei, Maruyama Futoshi, Etou Kenji have all used the Kamui at competitions. It was also very popular amongst off string players at the 2010 Asian Pacific Yo-Yo Contest.

From a player's perspective, it's incredibly smooth but responsive, with a long sleep and just the right size. It lacks the premature response issues some have with the Aquarius and Griffon Wing, but when you're ready for it to return, its response is fast and tight, making regeneration tricks much easier. The size is a perfect balance, not too big or small, with a decent weight. The body materials cause little friction, making it ideal for grinding tricks as well.

This is the valedictorian of high class off string yo-yos. It truly is a joy to use; anyone looking to up their game need only look to the gods, for they have delivered the Kamui.

>> JAPAN TECHNOLOGY Offstring Yo-Yo "Kamui"

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