Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Post topics about the clever and unique creations the from Japanese magic company.

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Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Zig Zagger » September 14th, 2015, 1:48 pm

In general, the suffix “-ism” tends to indicate the ending of a rather unpleasant word, think fascism, communism, racism, or FISM (disclaimer: no relations between these). Beyond that, many -isms seem to have in common that they describe a hierarchial belief system which is based on a strict yet simple manifesto with (pseudo) religious undertones; their proponents feel chosen and superior and, therefore, air dedication and determination; they share strong convictions, a simplistic “we vs. them” view of the world and, sadly, a tendency to sentence, banish or even harm dissenters.

The same applies, along less violent terms, to Tenyoism, I believe, as I analyze (with tongue in cheek) in my latest blog entry. Learn why Tenyo creations are a bit like sex toys and why they foreshadow redemption:

http://www.zzzauber.com/

Do you agree? What is your dogma? What gives you the greatest pleasure in toying with Tenyo?
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Jonathan Townsend » September 14th, 2015, 2:25 pm

Perky Pat

See Existenz, or the Simpsons Lego episode.

Be Chew-z, buy Can-d. Imagine the deception. uWant the product. Accessorize.

https://philipkdickreview.wordpress.com ... perky-pat/
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 14th, 2015, 3:20 pm

Rather than any of the negative "isms" you mention, I think Buddhism would be more apt.
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Zig Zagger » September 14th, 2015, 3:38 pm

Valid point. I just started with the first -isms I could think of and developed the introduction from there. However, some of their cornerstones may apply to both Buddhism and Tenyoism as well.

I'm curious: What would be traits of Buddhism in your personal Tenyoism, Mr. Kaufman?

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 14th, 2015, 5:55 pm

For that, you'll have to read the book. It will be self-evident.
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Zig Zagger » September 15th, 2015, 3:15 pm

Eventually, I will! (Only waiting for a rising Euro vs. Dollar.)

Your reply is all about capitalism (which is fine). Since Buddhism is also about "cultivation of higher wisdom and discernment" (according to Wikipedia), I feel it would be nice to share some insights here, though.

Any other Tenyoists or Tenyonites willing to share some aspects of their fascination, religious or not?

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby I.M. Magician » September 15th, 2015, 6:01 pm

For me, it has nothing to do with religion. I was there when T-1 came out. It was nothing more than a thimble and a tiny sheet of instructions. I wasn't impressed yet. Then, others came quickly. Tenyo's Crazy Spots replaced Spooky Spots. Then came many more and before I knew it, I was performing lots of Tenyo magic tricks.

I never could have imagined back then that Tenyo would continue to make so many and for so long.

Perhaps it's not only the cleverness and quality of what they produce but also the fun toys aspect of their line. Let's not forget the huge variety. All kinds of effects using things like coins, paper money, silks, dice, and sometimes just their interesting apparatus.

At this point, what Tenyo has appears to be a cult following. That's their reward for staying with it for so long.

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Mr Hurley » September 15th, 2015, 6:20 pm

While I'm fascinated and excitable about Tenyo, I wouldn't even think about drawing any religious overtones (or 'sex toy'-ish) references towards it.

I started magic last year after my kids got bit by the magic bug (from a home science kit that touted itself as 'wizard magic').
long story short, I looked up some of the Milton Bradley: Magic Works from when I was younger and found out that the 5 Magic Works my friend and I had as kids were originally Tenyo Magic designs.

I have twins, and my daughter is the little magician; my autistic son just wants me to use 'Phantoma' whenever he sees the handkerchief when I'm digging through the 'set' boxes.

Between the wee-magician and myself, we have 32 Tenyo. All opened, all of them we use and try to perform with as much as we can.
They are ingenious things and an absolute blast trying to create cohesive routines around. Fun magic exercise that I hope to, one day, utilize for a children's hospital show

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 15th, 2015, 8:10 pm

I disagree, my reply was not "all about capitalism." I answered your question about where the information, which is much too lengthy to be printed here, can be located.
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Jonathan Townsend » September 15th, 2015, 8:32 pm

Tenyo is something recreational and sold in toy stores to non-magicians.

Let's not disparage faith with plastic and trickery ... and not sure folks are good with the word fetish either.
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Tom Leyland » September 16th, 2015, 12:19 am

Jonathan Townsend wrote:Tenyo is something recreational and sold in toy stores to non-magicians.

Let's not disparage faith with plastic and trickery ... and not sure folks are good with the word fetish either.


What on earth are you getting on about?

Tenyo is proper magic and any real magician knows this. Some of the most devious methods ever devised in mass produced consumer magic are "Tenyos".

MAGIC is recreational and some are simply good enough to make a living at it.

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Bill Mullins » September 16th, 2015, 12:36 pm

Onanism

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Brad Henderson » September 16th, 2015, 12:55 pm

did I miss the leason where we defined 'proper magic'?

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Bill Marquardt » September 16th, 2015, 1:01 pm

Two words well known to magicians:

Criticism
Plagiarism


Others having nothing to do with a belief system:

Organism
Realism
Witticism


and the always popular:

Antidisestablishmentarianism

@ Mr. Mullins - You are a dirty bird, as George Gobel might have said if he were around. :)

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Jonathan Townsend » September 16th, 2015, 1:34 pm

@Tom - we've already had some discussions about adding non-gaffed props to match, upscaling some of the designs...

Tom Leyland wrote:...Some of the most devious methods ever devised in mass produced consumer...


yes, fine toys. amusing. marvels of design and manufacture.

There is much to admire in Bonsai. Perhaps not the same craft as growing an apple orchard for the apples, though.
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Jonathan Townsend » September 16th, 2015, 1:40 pm

Bill Mullins wrote:Onanism


Own An ism? ;) gotta collect em all, right?
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Bill Marquardt » September 16th, 2015, 4:28 pm

I left out Sardonicism.

Also Cynicism.

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby AJM » September 16th, 2015, 4:52 pm

FISM

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Richard Kaufman » September 19th, 2015, 12:12 am

And the ever popular ism beginning with a J.
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Bill Mullins » September 19th, 2015, 2:02 am

Jingoism?

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Mr Hurley » September 19th, 2015, 3:52 am

Richard Kaufman wrote:And the ever popular ism beginning with a J.


Judaism!

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Zig Zagger » September 19th, 2015, 7:26 am

Maybe Jiu-Jitsuism?

I have just come across a list of almost 900 -isms in the English language (five of them beginning with 'j'):

http://www.morewords.com/ends-with/ism/

I guess I have to accept that this has nothing to do with my initial post and the questions asked; yet it is quite fun and enlightening!
Tricks, tips, news, interviews, musings and fun stuff: Have a look at our English-German magic blog! http://www.zzzauber.com
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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Bill Marquardt » September 19th, 2015, 11:16 am

Richard Kaufman wrote:And the ever popular ism beginning with a J.


I am hoping that is not a four-letter word.

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Leo Garet » September 19th, 2015, 11:40 am

Richard Kaufman wrote:Rather than any of the negative "isms" you mention, I think Buddhism would be more apt.

Not specifically Tenyoistic ;) but I like the sound of Optimism.

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Re: Magic's Plastic Religion: Tenyoism

Postby Mr Hurley » September 19th, 2015, 12:10 pm

Leo Garet wrote:Not specifically Tenyoistic ;) but I like the sound of Optimism.


I see what you did there. Well played


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