K. T. Kuma

K. T. Kuma
Born	Kinjiro Tanko Kumjaro February 04, 1884 Seoul, Korea
Died	March 27, 1963 (age 79) New York City

K. T. Kuma (February 4, 1884 - March 27, 1963) was born Kinjiro Tanko Kumjaro in Seoul, Korea, was a Japanese circus performer and magician.

Biography

He began magic at the age of 5 as an apprentice to a Japanese magician and became a professional performing in 1892. He moved to the United States in 1904 and was known at that time as Kim Yen Soo. During World War II he claimed he was a Korean.

According to Tenkai's autobiography (Tenkai was a close friend), Kuma told him that he first joined a certain Japanese circus troupe when it visited to perform in Korea. After he married a Japanese, he left the circus to learn some magic. He then went to England where a large Japanese exhibition or some kind of world fair was held, sent by a event promoter, along with other several dozen performing artists. After that, he went to the United States.

He is credited with the invention of the Kuma Tubes, but mostly was performing a very old trick.

References

• http://www.geniimagazine.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Main=10764&Number=112529
• Conjuring by James Randi
• Kuma Witnessed and Described by Ray Muse in Genii 1954 April
• Kuma and the Kuma Tubes in Genii 1955 September
• The Linking Ring, Vol. 43, No. 5, May 1963, Broken Wand, KIM YEN SOO, page 96
• Gibecière, Vol. 7, No. 2, Summer 2012, Part IX: K. T. Kuma and His Astonishing Tubes, by Mitsunobu Matsuyama, pages 13-52