Fushigi Ball: Creating Fushigi Magic

Amazing Fushigi Ball

My granddaughter called me last week and asked if I had heard of the Fushigi Ball. When I told her "no", she insisted that I check it out on the internet. Coincidentally, later in the day, the Fushigi Ball commercial was on TV and I was completely amazed!

International Fushigi

This is the neatest ball I've ever seen, and the gravity defying tricks that can be done with it defy logic and imagination. I really don't think it should be classified as a toy, but kids are starting to play and use it just like they would their favorite toy. The Fushigi Ball is becoming an international craze, and even very popular with adults, both young and old. Apparently adults are getting into the Fushigi Ball because learning and doing tricks and maneuvers is said to be very relaxing.

The Old is New

The Fushigi Ball is not some new invention, but a modernization of the old art of Fushigi. It's based around the techniques of "contact juggling", whereby the object never is out of contact with the operator. So, instead of tossing the object into the air, it is manipulated with fingers, hands and arms to create incredible illusions. I looked it up on YouTube, and there are a bunch of videos demonstrating techniques from beginning to advanced. The Fushigi Ball I was looking at was not as expensive as many of the others. There were some priced around $50 or so, but, since most all are acrylic, I figured the Fushigi Ball for around $27. (including S&H) would do just fine for the novice.

Fushigi Techniques

I really don't know how easy it would be to learn the techniques involved. Certainly, some of the movements just look like hand and arm rotation about a fixed point to create an illusion. In watching other demos, it's evident that to learn to master certain of the techniques to make defying gravity and levitation seem real would take time and practice. The Fushigi Ball comes with an instructional DVD, so I'm sure that would help. Also, there are instructional videos on YouTube so there is plenty of instruction out there.

The Fushigi Craze

I can see why it's easy to get hooked on the Fushigi Ball, and think it's going to be the "next big thing" like the hacky sack. Everyone seems to be captivated by the Fushigi gravity ball and I can see why; the illusions are spectacular! While it looks like you're witnessing some magic and levitation, in reality it's a combination of optical illusion with skilled slight of hand. Working with and learning the contact juggling secrets of the Fushigi Ball really looks like it could be fun, entertaining and relaxing. I think we'll put it on our Christmas list for some of our kids.

0