Welcome to the trippy, trippy art of Buugeng.

Created by Japanese performer, Dai Zaobab, these collapsible wooden  S-curves are used to great effect to form beautiful optical illusions.  The staves were inspired by an S-staff performance by juggler Micheal Moschen, but have evolved way past the original.

“. . . by blending the unusual shape of the spinning device, martial arts movement and meditation, [the Buugeng] creates a visual kaleidoscope that is astounding to the eye.”  – Dai Zaobab

It’s pretty unusual to find an actual new art form, but this does seem to be just that.  Not only is it new, the references I found seem to indicate that just about anyone can do it. However, you’d have to be intensely conscious of the plane in which these things must travel so as not to spoil the illusion, which I guess is where the martial arts training and meditation come in.  Of course, I’m sure it doesn’t hurt to be as beautiful as the performer in the video below, either.

In case you’re interested, I found a video explaining the basic finger techniques.  While I’m not much less confused than I was before, I now know how to pronounce Buugeng.

This second instructional video (by the master, Dai Zaobab, himself!) definitely does not help with pronunciation of anything, but his enthusiasm is adorable. Don’t forget, keep it frats!