North America's largest kendama competition returns to Minnesota

• With a simple design suitable for almost any age, costing as low as $20, the game is an accessible way to practice hand-eye coordination, focus and patience. Even beginners can learn tricks within a day.

Zoom out: The local rise of a toy many had never heard of is in part due to Matt "Sweets" Jorgenson, who started company Sweets Kendamas in his Minneapolis backyard shed in 2010.

• Fourteen years later, Sweets Kendamas hosts the nation's largest competitions, sells the toys at over 1,800 Targets and in partnership with a nonprofit, operates 12 kendama clubs at schools across the Cities.

By the numbers: More than 600 spectators and competitors are expected at the three-day North American Kendama Open (NAKO), where they can take workshops, meet fellow fans and watch or compete in tournaments, organizer Cody Griz said.

How it works: Players compete in freestyle, where they do their own tricks and are judged against a singular player, or open style: a bracket-like, single elimination showdown where players learn 30 tricks and perform until someone misses.

• Winners can receive kendamas, cash prizes, lodging for the Kendama World Cup in Hatsukaichi, Japan, and their name on a giant kendama-shaped trophy.

What he's saying: "We've seen people pick up their first kendama [at NAKO] and compete day-of. A lot of the focus is on the world-class players, but competition or not, it's just fun — and it's a great way to find a community," Jorgenson said.

If you go: All events, including tournament viewing and workshops, are included in the spectator pass, which is $25/day or $60 for the weekend.