This is the page that will feature fellow Tenyo collectors from around the world.
Do you want to be featured on this page? No matter how large or small your collection is, please send in photos of you and your collection. Feel free to include how many effects you have, your location, when you started collecting and any other useful appropriate information. Click here to send in your goodies.
To start off, here is my collection...
Angelo Carbone , London UK
Here is what my collection looks like as it stands. You already know what I look like hence why I am not in the photo. At the time of this photo I have 201 Tenyo items in there and still missing about 15 or so. I started collecting many years ago. I was more fascinated by how clever these tricks were despite most magicians who thought them as simply toys. What most magicians forget is that the primary target for sales of Tenyo magic is the public (particularly the Japanese) - magicians are secondary.
I think some day I will get a bigger cabinet as when I try to get one item I usually knock something over. Too cluttered. Also there is so much dust collected in there too. Two collections for the price of one :-)
I have some older effects in there which I am very proud of. I love when I aqquire a rare Tenyo piece as it alwas makes my day. Naturally I am hoping to complete the whole collection but I won't go mad and spend a fortune on a particular item - even if I need it badly. I am envious of all the Tenyo auctions on ebay in the US as for the majority of them, they will not sell outside the US.
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You can see my collection from its early stages by visiting my Gallery page or by clicking here.
Steve Freedman, Baltimore USA
Here is fellow collector Steve with his vast collection of Tenyo magic. Over to Steve:
" My Tenyo collection began right along with a re-interest in magic, just about 7 years ago. Magic was a passing phase when I was a child and my fascination was rekindled as a young adult. Later, my priorities changed a bit (marriage and children will have that effect) so magic was pushed aside. I don't really know what brought me back to it again. Anyway, at a local magic shop (I'm very lucky to be close by to at least 3 excellent shops, including the world famous Denny & Lee Magic Studio), the owner was demonstrating some tricks for me. He knew my novice status and only showed me what he thought I could handle. TENYO, anyone? I became instantly fascinated with the line - from the attractive packaging to the often brilliant workings of the tricks, I became hooked.
I slowly built up my collection of magic in general and of course fell into the familiar trap of 'too much magic, too little practice'. I soon realized that I was more of a collector than a performer. I do love to show my tricks to a willing audience, but these days I'm more about the collection. At present, I have about 170 tenyo effects in my collection. It's fun to delete items from my 'wanted' list as I get new ones. I so enjoy finding the rare pieces.
Somehow, I snagged a mint Coin Fan on ebay for only $2, just a few months ago. That was sweet! Another ebay purchase, of a magic lot, yielded ANOTHER Coin Fan that wasn't even mentioned as part of the lot. Go figure. Although I still have a too-long list of rare Tenyo that I'm hoping to someday find, I think the most uncommon one in my collection is the U.S Flag Rainbow Silks trick. I wrote to Hiroshi Kondo inquiring about it and he replied that NO ONE at tenyo had ever heard of or seen it before. My original T-1 Thimble is a proud possession also. It was part of a magic lot I purchased...I spotted it in the pic of that lot and just held my breath that no one else would discover it.
I also enjoy finding the japanese versions of the Tenyo line. Although they're the same tricks, the packaging is different and it looks good in the display. I have all my instruction sheets in clear holders in a binder (in alphabetical order). when my collection grew so large, I just couldn't remember how to do them all and now I find it convenient to just look them up. A short list of my favorites: Crystal Cleaver, Blue Crystal, Iillusionarium, Side-Track, Ninja Experiment and Squeeze Play. Another favorite, and one that is rarely mentioned as a winner, is Sandwich Platter. I think this is a GREAT trick and perform it often. "
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Steve Vil, New Jersey USA
Here is Steve Vil who I had met while in New York. He has been a big help with my site. Over to you Steve:
" Yes, that's me, the infamous Steve Vil in my "serial killer disguised as a magician" pose - a look made popular by Angelo Carbone in his trip to Tokyo pics. :)
My magic case has 7 shelves, the top 5 of which are devoted to Tenyo. I have been collecting Tenyo seriously for about 8 years now.
It's a little hard to see, but the tricks in the back corner of photo 2 are Funnel Vision, Water Suspension and Tricky Business. Also note the 'Magic Works' versions of Sutekina Trick and Metal Matrimony. 'Magic Works' was actually how I got into collecting Tenyo. Moons Of Jupiter and Merlin's Coffer are a little hard to see. Also note the 'Magic Works' version of Pencilia (photo 3). I got Pendant brand new, in the box a little less than a year ago at a costume shop in NYC. They had about 10 of them - I couldn't believe it. In photo 5 is Excalibur, my most treasured Tenyo trick. For some reason it is very hard to find and I got really lucky when I found mine. Another Rare Tenyo piece I was amazed to find was Leather Wild Wallet. I was glad to finally get one because I'd been through three of the plastic ones and really wanted one that wouldn't fall apart from use. [Mine has never fallen apart - Angelo]
I also have a band if you want to check out my site. "
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