Yo-Yo Bar in Shibuya

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010 in: News

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQou-_2K4qw

Most people think of yo-yo as a kid’s toy, possibly because they remember that the only time they’ve played with one was when they were young. For those of us who stuck with it and been inducted into the world of competitive yo-yo, it’s fun to challenge people’s assumptions and open their eyes to the adult toy scene (not that kind of toy, you perverts!)

Unlike my friends, I’m actually not a veteran of the yo-yo scene, I’m a convert.

My friend introduced me to yo-yos back in ’07. I’ve told this story too many times so there should be no need to go into further detail, but the important point is that I was already in my early 20’s by then, far too old to pick it up like these kids, the yo-yo natives, can. Nevertheless, I was hooked, and hungry for more. It’s not like yo-yo has since overshadowed the rest of my life; I pick up these skills to better myself and enhance my life, not take it over. As such, I’m still not very good compared to those around me, but to the uninitiated, I can be mesmerizing with a yo-yo. That’s kind of a cool feeling, even if it’s curbed by the knowledge that I am still comparatively unskilled. I enjoy teaching people about the different styles, the infinite possibilities; like most things, such a simple toy is in reality so much more complex than we expect. It’s a good metaphor for just about everything that interests me.

And most of the people who are most curious are adults. Maybe it’s the company I keep, but it’s always the adults pointing out the yo-yo and asking me about it. Sure, kids will gawk, unsure of what to make of it, but it’s the adults that say “is that a yo-yo? I’ve never seen one like that before!”

In response to this interest, Black (one of our yo-yo friends and a former world champion himself) has started the yo-yo bar, an experiment in making yo-yo practice more sophisticated and grown-up, whilst still appealing to the kids in all of us that just love a good toy. Monthly meetings at the Pink Cow in Shibuya include performances and music and drinking, and of course, teaching yo-yo to the adults who gather there. It’s unlike any yo-yo group I’ve been to, because it’s not geared towards potential yo-yo natives, but to converts like myself.

The boys came into Tokyo to help, and we met up in the Pink Cow. Black was dressed up in a flashy tuxedo and tails, a fitting tribute to his performer’s sensibilities. He was recently accepted to train with Cirque du Soleil, and would be performing at the Daidougei (Street Performers) World Cup in Shizuoka in a few weeks. Black is, above all else, a showman. He performed with a singer billed as “Doll Reggae,” which seems to be more a style than a form of music. Childrens songs retooled with a reggae undertone, really. It was interesting though… Everyone had a good time that I could tell, and there were quite a few people practicing their first tricks. Yo-Yo Bar is a paradigm shift: it shows people new ways to think about things they already have opinions about.

Hiro’s friend, Kei was there doing yo-yo maintenance and giving advice to newcomers, dressed as a doctor. The Halloween spirit was alive and well. A fan came up to Black and outfitted him with black cat ears, which he performed in. After the show, Yukako showed up and caught up with Kaoru and Laura, whom I’d dragged with me after having dinner with Yukako’s mom (our old exchange program director, one of my adopted Japanese mothers). It felt so good to be able to hang out with these friends, both old and new. I felt like the weekend was already a great success…

…and it was only Friday.

More photos on Coba-U’s Photostream
Coba-U’s website

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