tldr: An opportunity for Nouns to make an unforgettable impact at NAKO 2024 by merging the kendama and web3 worlds, supporting global talent, and fostering creativity in a fun, inclusive subculture.
The North American Kendama Open (NAKO) is the premier kendama competition in North America, hosted by Sweets Kendamas, which brings together top players from around the world to showcase their creativity and skills to a global audience.
Kendama is more than just a toy — it’s a tool for mindfulness, community building, and self-expression. NAKO offers an ideal platform for Nouns to align its values of creativity, inclusivity, and play with a like-minded global community.
Building on the success of our collaboration with Mindfulness Through Play and activations at ETH Denver and the Blockchain Futurist Conference in Toronto, where we engaged crypto-savvy audiences, we now aim to introduce Nouns to the entire global kendama community.
Kendama is Nounish Highlight 1 and Highlight 2
Nouns has a unique opportunity to onboard the kendama community into web3 in an exciting and non-intrusive way. By blending the fun of kendama with accessible blockchain technology, we can show how anyone can meaningfully contribute to Nouns, use these tools to fund public goods, and create something impactful.
This proposal outlines how a Nouns sponsorship of NAKO will:
NAKO 2024 will be held in Minneapolis, featuring top kendama players from around the world. As the title sponsor, Nouns will create unforgettable experiences that not only immerse attendees in the event but also gently introduce them to web3 through fun, approachable activities. By aligning Nouns with the most exciting elements of NAKO, we will drive home our commitment to creativity, play, and community.
By sponsoring the main event, Nouns will be front and center at NAKO 2024, ensuring maximum visibility across livestreams, social media, and event signage. This top-tier exposure firmly positions Nouns as a driving force in the kendama community.
The Nouns DAO Panel and Workshop offer a unique educational experience at NAKO. The panel will provide attendees with an inside look at how blockchain technology intersects with creativity and community building, showcasing real-world examples of how this technology has improved people’s lives and showcasing the work that Nouns has supported through kendama thus far. The workshop creates an intimate space for deeper engagement, giving curious attendees a chance to explore the potential of DAOs and learn how they can leverage these tools to enhance their own creative projects.
We will introduce attendees to web3 in a simple, fun way that invites curiosity without pressure. By distributing Kendama DAO tokens, POAPs, and onchain prizes, Nouns will leave a lasting impression on attendees, giving them permanent souvenirs to take home and something to explore later. This non-invasive approach helps us onboard new members into the Nouns ecosystem while enhancing their experience at NAKO.
Through the distribution of Kendama DAO tokens, we aim to create a seamless bridge for attendees to explore and engage with web3 long after the event ends. By anchoring this initiative within Kendama DAO, Nouns will help foster a pipeline that introduces kendama enthusiasts to decentralized communities, encouraging them to actively participate in the broader Nouns ecosystem once they've gained their footing in the space. This approach allows for continued engagement long after the event, turning curiosity sparked at NAKO into ongoing involvement.
Our POAP scavenger hunt will inject an element of play and discovery into the event. This activity encourages attendees to explore various areas of the venue while interacting with Nouns branding and content in a fun, hands-on way. Participants who collect all POAPs will be entered into a raffle, encouraging engagement without overwhelming them with technical jargon or crypto complexity.
We're bringing in high-profile guest Bob Burnquist to add star power and excitement to NAKO 2024. Bob's presence connects Nouns to creativity and innovation in traditional communities like skateboarding, which shares a strong crossover with the kendama community. His involvement demonstrates how someone at the forefront of their field has embraced web3 tools to push boundaries, not just in their craft, but also in community building.
Supporting the travel of top kendama pros is a key element in elevating the competition at NAKO 2024. By helping these elite athletes attend, Nouns not only enhances the quality and hype of the event but also demonstrates our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering inclusivity in the kendama community.
Featured athletes will be finalized if this proposal passes. We are currently in talks with the following players:
To maintain momentum and engagement after NAKO, we will host weekly rounds throughout the month following the event. This continued engagement helps onboard the global community into Nouns and keeps momentum rolling as people earn rewards from Rounds and then tell their friends.
Nouns' support through Proposal 543 has had a profound impact, enabling the Mindfulness Through Play (MTP) initiative to inspire a new wave of young kendama enthusiasts. By providing students with their own Nouns Kendamas, MTP has cultivated creativity, focus, and a sense of accomplishment.
This fall, MTP has expanded to run 13 after-school programs across 9 schools. The first-ever student division at NAKO will feature these young players, marking a milestone as many compete using their Nouns Kendamas. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to attend workshops and play alongside some of the world's best kendama players, giving them a chance to learn from top talent and deepen their connection with the community.
This initiative fosters family involvement, strengthens community ties, and promotes mindfulness through play - values deeply aligned with Nouns' mission.
Many of these students will be competing in the first ever Student Division using Nouns kendamas
Students will have the opportunity to attend workshops and play with some of the best kendama players in the world
This initiative supports full family engagement and promotes mindfulness through play, aligning with Nouns' values
Partnering with NAKO 2024 is an opportunity for Nouns to make a massive impact in a new community that shares our values of creativity, play, and collaboration. By blending kendama and web3 in a fun, approachable way, we can onboard new members into the Nouns ecosystem and leave a lasting legacy of support for global talent. Nouns' presence at NAKO will advance our mission to fund public goods that strengthen global communities and inspire creative new forms of innovation and collaboration.
Summary of Revisions: By implementing these changes, we've addressed the primary concerns raised in the feedback, streamlined the budget, and emphasized the elements that make this proposal both impactful and cost-effective. We believe this revised proposal will resonate with voters and hope we can count on your support for our vision for NAKO 2024.
Thank you everyone for the kind words and support. It was a pleasure to share kendama with many of you at Nouns Town and we look forward to sharing it with those we missed in the future! ⌐◨-◨
Kendama is nounish, they were right.
Satori and Joshua are nounish. GL!
I love this idea, my sister teaches elementary school and I'd buy a few Nounish kendama's to have her classroom if that's possible!
Interacting had the pleasure to understand the subculture and really enjoy and see the nounishnes in it and believe it will be a big success
The travel budget still feels unneeded, not sure it's wise to cover the cost of players who beforehand wouldn't have a clue what nouns are and post have no real requirement to engage and personal can't justify the covering cost of attending.
I increasingly believe using treasury resources for IRL activations is frownish, and maybe even clownish
Satori is a passionate and capable operator, with a strong connection to the Kendama community. However, I don’t believe running rounds for ongoing engagement will be effective. Instead, I’d recommend focusing on building Nouns as the central Kendama community through a Discord or Instagram presence. Expecting people to use Warpcast just to engage with the sponsor seems unrealistic.
Like esports, Kendamas may become overly reliant on DAO funding. Without developing independent distribution channels (they plan to do this via Warpcast), they'll struggle to retain and engage their audience long-term.
Satori is a passionate and capable operator, with a strong connection to the Kendama community. However, I don’t believe running rounds for ongoing engagement will be effective. Instead, I’d recommend focusing on building Nouns as the central Kendama community through a Discord or Instagram presence. Expecting people to use Warpcast just to engage with the sponsor seems unrealistic.
Like esports, Kendamas may become overly reliant on DAO funding. Without developing independent distribution channels (they plan to do this via Warpcast), they'll struggle to retain and engage their audience long-term.
I'm very supportive in what you guys are doing and definitely see the biggest opportunity in activating as much as possible IRL and using these type of events as acquisition moments to bring people into your kendama movement. Is it important to bring them on-chain straight away? probably not that much. It's more important to add more people to your movement. For those people to fall in love with the movement. And then start asking questions and eventually join you on chain, because that's part of your edge within the kendama sphere. Also love that you're leaning inwards, bringing Bob to the tournament - looks like you have a world class crew together to spread some kendama magic! have fun and send photos! ⌐◨-◨
Nouncil has spoken.
We discuss all Nouns proposals every week in our Discord https://discord.gg/fdjJpMeV6K. The calls are public and all are welcome!
You can find a link to previous call recordings in our Discord "links" channel.
Nouncil has voted For this proposal, with 26 votes for, 6 against, and 10 abstentions. Thanks for playing Nouns.
FOR - 26 VOTES
borg00000 | "Kendama is very nounish think we should go full throttle here"
benbodhi | "Kendama is nounish af. After seeing these guys in action IRL, I have no doubt it's great for nouns and is well aligned."
AGAINST - 6 VOTES
ABSTAINS - 10 VOTES
Got my first taste of Kendamas at ETHDenver then got fully pilled at Nouns Town, all thanks to Satori and the Sweets Kendama crew.
Kendama isn't just a toy, it's a lifestyle. Impressed with what this passionate team has accomplished already, and excited to see what they can do with some modest funding.
I met this team at NounsTown and they were incredibly passionate about this and had a great story about how kendama can help foster a lifelong love for learning and build resilience. I love what they're doing competitively and academically.
https://www.lilnouns.wtf/vote/nounsdao/666/votes
FOR 187 VOTES
AGAINST 0 VOTES
ABSTAIN 0 VOTES
I think this is a much better proposal and happy to move forward with it. The people behind this prop have worked a lot to make it happen, and definitely deserve a pass on this one to go a try what they had in mind. I expect to see the results of this tho!
rounds are overrated for new audiences imo, i'd focus on capturing attention within a discord or instagram channel (or wherever the kendama people normally congregate)
awesome to see bob involved.
I've become a huge fan of Kendama and thank Satori for introducing these 2 communities.
"mindfulness, community building, and self-expression" sounds Nounish to me - Orca Pod
Nothing builds up a pizza appetite like a First Spike. - PizzaDAO Governance Crew
kendama has got to be one of the weirdest subcultures and I'm here for it
kendama has got to be one of the weirdest subcultures and I'm here for it
The proposal provides a detailed plan for engaging the kendama community with Nouns DAO through sponsorship and activities at NAKO 2024. However, it lacks specific financial details, such as the budget breakdown and expected financial returns, which are crucial for evaluating its impact on Nouns DAO's financial health. Additionally, the proposal's key information is presented through URLs and images that are not accessible for review.
tldr: An opportunity for Nouns to make an unforgettable impact at NAKO 2024 by merging the kendama and web3 worlds, supporting global talent, and fostering creativity in a fun, inclusive subculture.
The North American Kendama Open (NAKO) is the premier kendama competition in North America, hosted by Sweets Kendamas, which brings together top players from around the world to showcase their creativity and skills to a global audience.
Kendama is more than just a toy — it’s a tool for mindfulness, community building, and self-expression. NAKO offers an ideal platform for Nouns to align its values of creativity, inclusivity, and play with a like-minded global community.
Building on the success of our collaboration with Mindfulness Through Play and activations at ETH Denver and the Blockchain Futurist Conference in Toronto, where we engaged crypto-savvy audiences, we now aim to introduce Nouns to the entire global kendama community.
Kendama is Nounish Highlight 1 and Highlight 2
Nouns has a unique opportunity to onboard the kendama community into web3 in an exciting and non-intrusive way. By blending the fun of kendama with accessible blockchain technology, we can show how anyone can meaningfully contribute to Nouns, use these tools to fund public goods, and create something impactful.
This proposal outlines how a Nouns sponsorship of NAKO will:
NAKO 2024 will be held in Minneapolis, featuring top kendama players from around the world. As the title sponsor, Nouns will create unforgettable experiences that not only immerse attendees in the event but also gently introduce them to web3 through fun, approachable activities. By aligning Nouns with the most exciting elements of NAKO, we will drive home our commitment to creativity, play, and community.
By sponsoring the main event, Nouns will be front and center at NAKO 2024, ensuring maximum visibility across livestreams, social media, and event signage. This top-tier exposure firmly positions Nouns as a driving force in the kendama community.
The Nouns DAO Panel and Workshop offer a unique educational experience at NAKO. The panel will provide attendees with an inside look at how blockchain technology intersects with creativity and community building, showcasing real-world examples of how this technology has improved people’s lives and showcasing the work that Nouns has supported through kendama thus far. The workshop creates an intimate space for deeper engagement, giving curious attendees a chance to explore the potential of DAOs and learn how they can leverage these tools to enhance their own creative projects.
We will introduce attendees to web3 in a simple, fun way that invites curiosity without pressure. By distributing Kendama DAO tokens, POAPs, and onchain prizes, Nouns will leave a lasting impression on attendees, giving them permanent souvenirs to take home and something to explore later. This non-invasive approach helps us onboard new members into the Nouns ecosystem while enhancing their experience at NAKO.
Through the distribution of Kendama DAO tokens, we aim to create a seamless bridge for attendees to explore and engage with web3 long after the event ends. By anchoring this initiative within Kendama DAO, Nouns will help foster a pipeline that introduces kendama enthusiasts to decentralized communities, encouraging them to actively participate in the broader Nouns ecosystem once they've gained their footing in the space. This approach allows for continued engagement long after the event, turning curiosity sparked at NAKO into ongoing involvement.
Our POAP scavenger hunt will inject an element of play and discovery into the event. This activity encourages attendees to explore various areas of the venue while interacting with Nouns branding and content in a fun, hands-on way. Participants who collect all POAPs will be entered into a raffle, encouraging engagement without overwhelming them with technical jargon or crypto complexity.
We're bringing in high-profile guest Bob Burnquist to add star power and excitement to NAKO 2024. Bob's presence connects Nouns to creativity and innovation in traditional communities like skateboarding, which shares a strong crossover with the kendama community. His involvement demonstrates how someone at the forefront of their field has embraced web3 tools to push boundaries, not just in their craft, but also in community building.
Supporting the travel of top kendama pros is a key element in elevating the competition at NAKO 2024. By helping these elite athletes attend, Nouns not only enhances the quality and hype of the event but also demonstrates our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering inclusivity in the kendama community.
Featured athletes will be finalized if this proposal passes. We are currently in talks with the following players:
To maintain momentum and engagement after NAKO, we will host weekly rounds throughout the month following the event. This continued engagement helps onboard the global community into Nouns and keeps momentum rolling as people earn rewards from Rounds and then tell their friends.
Nouns' support through Proposal 543 has had a profound impact, enabling the Mindfulness Through Play (MTP) initiative to inspire a new wave of young kendama enthusiasts. By providing students with their own Nouns Kendamas, MTP has cultivated creativity, focus, and a sense of accomplishment.
This fall, MTP has expanded to run 13 after-school programs across 9 schools. The first-ever student division at NAKO will feature these young players, marking a milestone as many compete using their Nouns Kendamas. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to attend workshops and play alongside some of the world's best kendama players, giving them a chance to learn from top talent and deepen their connection with the community.
This initiative fosters family involvement, strengthens community ties, and promotes mindfulness through play - values deeply aligned with Nouns' mission.
Many of these students will be competing in the first ever Student Division using Nouns kendamas
Students will have the opportunity to attend workshops and play with some of the best kendama players in the world
This initiative supports full family engagement and promotes mindfulness through play, aligning with Nouns' values
Partnering with NAKO 2024 is an opportunity for Nouns to make a massive impact in a new community that shares our values of creativity, play, and collaboration. By blending kendama and web3 in a fun, approachable way, we can onboard new members into the Nouns ecosystem and leave a lasting legacy of support for global talent. Nouns' presence at NAKO will advance our mission to fund public goods that strengthen global communities and inspire creative new forms of innovation and collaboration.
Summary of Revisions: By implementing these changes, we've addressed the primary concerns raised in the feedback, streamlined the budget, and emphasized the elements that make this proposal both impactful and cost-effective. We believe this revised proposal will resonate with voters and hope we can count on your support for our vision for NAKO 2024.