# Sweets is Nounish

**tl;dr** - A collaboration between Sweets Kendamas and Nouns DAO featuring a design contest for a line of Nouns-themed kendamas, a trick competition, and a charitable donation to the Sweets Kendama Foundation to help them continue their "mindfulness through play" education programs for kids.

I highly recommend watching these short videos before reading the rest of the proposal
- [About the Program](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgYdv7unlQs)
- [Social Emotional Learning through Kendama](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vECpoeKyP4g)
- [Kendama in Physical Education](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUR1RSDqCaI)

![](https://sweetskendamas.com/cdn/shop/files/Sweets_Logo_01.gif?v=1654715280&width=280)

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# Background

## What is Kendama?
Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy that consists of a handle (ken), a pair of cups (sarado), and a ball (tama) connected by a string. Its origins can be traced back several centuries, with roots in both Japanese and Western cultures. The modern kendama evolved from the classic Japanese game called "Hyakunin Isshu Karuta" and the French cup-and-ball game "bilboquet." Over time, kendama has evolved from a simple children's toy into a tool for art, competition, and mindfulness, attracting a global following. Today, it is not only a popular pastime but also a medium for educational programs and community-building activities.

- Learn [more about the history of kendama](https://sweetskendamas.com/pages/learn)
- Learn the basics of [how to play kendama](https://sweetskendamas.com/pages/how-to-play-kendama)

![](https://sweetskendamas.com/cdn/shop/files/WHATS_KENDAMA_PARTS_01A.jpg?v=1698333299&width=1600)

![](https://sweetskendamas.com/cdn/shop/files/WHATS_KENDAMA_PARTS_02A.jpg?v=1698333316&width=1080)

## Sweets Kendamas
A leader in popularizing kendama globally, [Sweets Kendamas](https://sweetskendamas.com/) stands as one of the largest and most mainstream kendama companies. Known for its professional team and presence in major retailers like Target, the company embodies innovation and widespread appeal. 

- Read more about the history of Sweets Kendamas on [their 'About' page](https://sweetskendamas.com/pages/about-sweets-kendamas)
- Check out [Sweets Kendamas YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SweetsKendamas) for full pro edits, competition recaps, and video tutorials

![](https://i.postimg.cc/0yKC8xCF/sweets.png)


## The Sweets Kendamas Foundation
The [Sweets Kendama Foundation](https://sweetskendamasfoundation.org/), a non-profit organization, was established in 2018 with the mission of promoting mindfulness through playful activities. Joshua Grove, a longtime mindfulness practitioner, founded the foundation after recognizing kendama's potential for fostering mindfulness skills in a fun and engaging way. His discovery of kendama in 2010 led him to merge his passion for mindfulness with his expertise in kendama to create the Foundation.

The Foundation's primary focus is on teaching social-emotional learning, growth mindset, and mindfulness through a series of challenging yet enjoyable physical activities, primarily utilizing kendamas. By using kendama as a tool, the programs aim to teach students to regulate challenging emotions, communicate with compassion, and transform failure into opportunities to learn and grow. This approach effectively introduces mindfulness to children in a manner that replaces traditional, often less engaging methods like breathing exercises, with interactive play.

Since its inception, the Sweets Kendama Foundation has made significant strides in reaching a wide audience. Since 2018, the Foundation has reached around 20,000 youth in over 50 schools and 8 YMCA branches across the United States.

The work done by the Sweets Kendama Foundation exemplifies the transformative power of integrating traditional skill toys like kendama with modern educational methods, promoting essential life skills in a unique and engaging way.

**tl;dr on the [Sweets Kendamas Foundation](https://sweetskendamasfoundation.org/mission)**
- Founded in 2018 by Joshua Grove
- Mission: To teach growth mindset, social-emotional learning, and mindfulness through play using kendama
- Since 2018, reached 20,000 youth in over 50 schools and 8 YMCA branches
- Replaces traditional methods like breathing exercises and meditation with fun physical activities
- See what these programs look like on [Sweets Kendamas Foundation YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@sweetskendamasfoundation)

![](https://i.postimg.cc/0yWDJN8c/Screen-Shot-2021-07-28-at-11-01-46-AM.jpg)

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# Kendama is Nounish

Kendama embodies the nounish ethos through its unique blend of community, creativity, and educational impact. This playful art form fosters a strong sense of community and collaboration, where players often meet up to play games and help each other improve. The innovative use of kendama for teaching mindfulness and social-emotional skills mirrors Nouns DAO's commitment to education and positive impact, wrapped in an aura of fun and absurdity. In essence, kendama's blend of traditional skill, community spirit, and creative education aligns seamlessly with the innovative and inclusive nature of the Nouniverse.

Kendama captures the nounish spirit through its fusion of creative expression and positive-sum community, mirroring the ethos of Nouns. Its role in teaching valuable life skills through an engaging medium reflects the DAO's focus on positive, transformative experiences, blending playfulness with purpose.

- **Community and Collaboration:** Both kendama and Nouns emphasize community engagement and collective efforts. Kendama, through its playful, skill-based nature, fosters a sense of camaraderie and shared learning, akin to the collaborative spirit of Nouns DAO's decentralized community.
- **Innovation and Creativity:** Kendama combines hand-eye coordination skills with creative expression, resonating with Nouns DAO's emphasis on quirkiness and innovation. Kendama players are constantly pushing the limits by creating new tricks, engineering new shapes, and exploring new ways to express themselves through kendama.
- **Positive Impact and Education:** The Sweets Kendama Foundation's focus on teaching mindfulness, social-emotional learning, and growth mindset to kids through play mirrors Nouns' values of education and positivity. Both prioritize impactful activities that are also fun, engaging, and positive-sum.
- **Inclusive and Decentralized Participation:** Just as Nouns consists of a diverse community scattered across the globe, championing decentralized participation and allowing diverse voices to shape its direction, kendama fosters inclusivity and personal growth. People from all over the world come together to learn from and support each other on their kendama journeys. 

## Sweets x Greenspark

Not only is the kendama community as a whole extremely nounish, but Sweets Kendamas has partnered with [Greenspark](https://app.getgreenspark.com/dashboard/1686334791125/sweets-kendamas) to plant a tree for every kendama sold. Passing this proposal would result in the planting of at least 500 trees.

![](https://i.postimg.cc/nV92HDtF/greenspark.png)

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# Scope and Timeline

## Support SKF Initiatives
A majority of the funding request is to be allocated directly to the Sweets Kendamas Foundation. The Foundation will receive a donation of 25 ETH to continue its operations and support the administration of mindfulness programs for kids, as well as the production of Nouns branded starter kendamas to be used and distributed in these programs. This support will enable the Foundation to reach over 8,000 kids and put noggles in their hands while they learn life-altering skills, giving them a long-lasting positive association with Nouns. 

![](https://i.postimg.cc/CL8hqTJY/win.gif)

## Nouns Marketing Campaign
Sweets Kendamas will market the Prop House rounds and sale of Nouns kendamas through their established communications channels with their community throughout the entirety of the project. This will include the following:
- Nouns featured on their homepage to direct people to learn about Nouns and the upcoming collaboration throughout the entire process
- Nouns featured on the Sweets Kendamas Foundation homepage
- Continuous exposure through Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube
- Discussion on the weekly Sweets Twitch live streams
- Proliferation at the Sweets Kendamas shop and any events they attend

## Prop House Design Round
A Prop House round will be facilitated which will seek 3 nounish designs to be printed on custom Nouns kendamas as well as the associated box. Marketing for this round will begin at least 2 weeks before the round opens and will leverage the existing communications channels established by Sweets Kendamas mentioned above. Submissions will be open for 1 month, followed by a 1 week voting period. The top 3 designs will be selected with prizes allocated as follows:
- 1st Place: 0.50 ETH and 3 sets of Nouns themed Kendamas
- 2nd Place: 0.50 ETH and 2 sets of Nouns themed Kendamas
- 3rd Place: 0.50 ETH and 1 set of Nouns themed Kendamas

![](https://i.postimg.cc/kGQhD38F/damabanner.jpg)
*Examples of previous kendama designs produced by Sweets*

## Nouns-Themed Kendamas
The 3 winning designs selected in the Prop House round will be produced by Sweets Kendamas. Slight modifications to the design may be made as determined by the Sweets Kendamas team to ensure high-quality production. Every kendama will come in a Nouns-themed box with a QR code that directs them to be able to claim a free NFT. The kendamas will have the following specs:
- 62mm Beech Tama
- Sweets Cushion Clear Paint
- Maple Legend Shape Ken

![](https://i.postimg.cc/zfjRpdND/blank-dama.jpg)

Initial production will include 112 of each design, for a total of 336 kendamas, to be allocated as follows: 
- 120 kendamas to be claimed by Noun owners (40 of each design)
- 60 kendamas to be given out as prizes on Sweets live streams (20 of each design)
- 60 kendamas to be allocated to various nounish communities (20 of each design)
- 60 kendamas to be distributed amongst Sweets' pro kendama players around the globe (20 of each design)
- 36 kendamas to be allocated as prizes for the two Prop House rounds (6 sets for each round, 12 total of each design)

## Public Sale of Nouns Kendamas
Upon completion of the Prop House design round, marketing of the winning designs will begin and Sweets Kendamas will list the Nouns kendamas as a pre-order on their website. Selling via pre-order enables us to more accurately control production without additional costs to the DAO.

## Prop House Trick Contest
A Prop House round will be facilitated which will seek video entries of people playing their Nouns-themed kendamas. Entries must include the player playing with a Nouns kendama to qualify. The top 3 entries will be selected with prizes allocated as follows:
- 1st Place: 0.75 ETH and 3 sets of Nouns themed Kendamas
- 2nd Place: 0.50 ETH and 2 sets of Nouns themed Kendamas
- 3rd Place: 0.25 ETH and 1 set of Nouns themed Kendamas

![](https://i.postimg.cc/WzJYbPrf/sweetstrick.gif)

## Future Collaborations
Sweets Kendama's history of successful collaborations with artists and athletes for custom kendama designs showcases its ability to create meaningful and impactful partnerships. If this proposal passes, we will also explore potential collaborations with Sweets Kendama's existing relationships to try and get Nouns-themed kendamas and noggles to these creators with large audiences. Some examples of notable people they have worked with include:
- Boogie T (Producer/DJ)
- Subtronics (Producer/DJ)
- Juzzy Carter (Professional scooter rider)
- Boo Johnson (Professional skateboarder)

![](https://i.postimg.cc/Kj5XyMT8/subtronics.gif)

Sweets Kendamas also hosts the largest kendama competition in North America every year, the North American Kendama Open. By establishing a relationship with Sweets, we open the doors for potential future sponsorships of events such as this one.

Not only do they regularly host the largest kendama competition in North America, they are the only kendama company to have their product sold in a major retailer such as Target in the USA. By establishing rapport with Sweets Kendamas, we may be able to get Nouns-themed kendamas in Targets across the US.

## Expected Impact and Outcomes

1. **Increased Mindfulness and Social-Emotional Skills in Youth**: Enhancing mindfulness, social-emotional learning, and growth mindsets in children.
2. **Community Engagement and Expansion**: Fostering greater engagement in the kendama and Nouns communities, expanding the reach of both.
3. **Creative and Educational Synergy**: Demonstrating the integration of play with learning through traditional skill toys and modern educational methods.
4. **Promotion of Art and Creativity**: Encouraging artistic engagement with kendama through the Prop House design round, resulting in unique, artistic kendama designs as well as creative expression through play in the Prop House trick round.
5. **Global Recognition and Appeal**: Enhancing global recognition of both kendama and Nouns through the collaboration of these communities.
6. **Demonstrate the Power of Crypto and Nouns**: Educate the kendama community on crypto's ability to impact positive change in people's lives through onchain organizations like Nouns.

![](https://i.postimg.cc/xCGJqtxV/200-2756395609.gif)

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# Summary
This collaboration presents a unique opportunity to blend the playful, educational, and community-building aspects of kendama with the innovative and positive-sum values of Nouns. It's a partnership that promises to bring about positive change, education, and enjoyment in a novel and engaging way.

## Team
- [**Satori**](http://twitter.com/0xSatori)
- [**Joshua Grove**](https://www.instagram.com/joshuaflowgrove) - President and Director, Founder of the Sweets Kendamas Foundation
- [**Todd Olsen**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-olsen-ci/) - Treasurer and Strategic Advisor for the Sweets Kendamas Foundation
- [**Gabe Klemm**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabe-klemm-32519265/) - CEO of Sweets Kendamas, Strategic Advisor for the Sweets Kendamas Foundation

## Timeline
- **Month 1:**
  - Begin marketing campaign.
- **Month 2:**
  - Launch Prop House design round, lasting for one month.
- **Month 3:**
  - One week voting period for the Prop House design round winner selection.
  - Begin production of marketing materials based on winning designs.
  - Open pre-orders for kendamas.
- **Month 4:**
  - Continue pre-order availability.
  - Start production of the winning kendama designs.
  - Market the Prop House trick round during the pre-order and distribution period.
- **Month 5:**
  - Distribute kendamas to the community and fulfill pre-orders.
- **Month 6:**
  - One month buffer period post-distribution.
  - Allow players time to break in their kendamas and practice tricks.
- **Month 7:**
  - Open submissions for the Prop House trick contest, lasting for one month.
- **Month 8:**
  - One week voting period for the Prop House trick contest.

## Budget
- Foundation Support: 25 ETH
- Prop House Round (Design Selection): 1.5 ETH
- Custom Nouns-Themed Kendamas Production: 5.5 ETH
- Prop House Round (Trick Contest): 1.5 ETH
- Marketing and Community Efforts: 7 ETH
- Distribution, Operations, and Logistics: 6.5 ETH
- **Total**: **47 ETH**

## Links and Resources
- [Sweets Kendamas](https://sweetskendamas.com/)
- [Sweets Kendamas YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SweetsKendamas)
- [Sweets Kendamas Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/sweetskendamas)
- [Sweets Kendamas Foundation](https://sweetskendamasfoundation.org)
- [Sweets Kendamas Foundation YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@sweetskendamasfoundation)
- [Sweets Kendamas Foundation Instagram](http://instagram.com/sweetskendamasfoundation)
- [Sweets Kendamas Twitch](https://www.twitch.tv/sweetskendamas)


**If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out. You can find me @0xSatori on X, FC, and Discord. Thanks for your consideration!**

**⌐◧-◧**

Outcome: DEFEATED