My Profile About Tenyo

[Mike Ihrig]

Hopefully I am doing this correctly. Not too good on posting.

My first recollection of Tenyo was in the 1970's at Walt Disney World. I purchased many products there and felt that Tenyo was useable magic to perform with.

Only magicians act like it is a toy or plastic. When I was performing, I was going for the entertainment factor and not the "Wow" factor. But that usually came with the entertainment.

I opened my first magic shop in 1985 in Rochester, NY: Mike's Magic & Merriment and carried all of the latest Tenyo. Even though I carried the products, I was a user, not a collector and like all magic, if it didn't fit my act I didn't keep it. But, none the less, I became an unknown expert on Tenyo.

In 1986, I submitted my routine for Zig Zag Cigarette and Ultraslice to Tenyo Japan for a contest they were running and on November 10, 1986, was notified that I had won.

I received the latest Tenyo products for that year, but never got validation in any of their publications. (Please see the below attachment.)

I sold my shop in 1991 and in 1999 went into a partnership with the magic shop The Magic Island in Fairport, NY. I became co-owner and started putting Tenyo on the shelves.

That shop closed about a year after 911 and I bought Tenyo for myself from dealers at conventions.

I have about 100 Tenyo tricks, but am still selective when I purchase them. My most prized possession is my Tenyoism books, which I inherited. I have left specific written instructions to save all of my Tenyo magic and it is stored in separate bins (except the ones I am using currently).

In closing, Tenyo will always remain a big part of my life and I still can't wait to see what the newest releases will be either in the USA or Japan!

Tenyo Contest.jpg

[VictorS]

Welcome to the forum Mike, what an interesting story. Actually I`m curious on your submitted routine for Zig Zag Cigarette and Ultraslice to Tenyo Japan, it must be cool. I submitted once idea to Tenyo but they rejected it but Hiroshi Kondo sent my prototype back and give me a new Tenyo animation card as compliment. What a nice experience too. Look forward to hear more from you Enjoy the group, there are so many things to explore here.

Cheers,
Victor (from Indonesia)

[JohnM]

Great introduction to us Mike. Is there an example of that Routine that won the contest?