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K. T. Kuma
K. T. Kuma (February 4, 1884 - March 27, 1963) was born in Seoul, Korea as Kinjiro Tanko Kumjaro. Though born in Korea, he was Japanese.
K. T. Kuma | |
Born | Kinjiro Tanko Kumjaro February 04, 1884 Seoul, Korea |
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Died | March 27, 1963 (age 79) |
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 of Kuma's ), Kuma told him that he first joined a certain Japanese circus troupe when it visited to perform in Korea. After he married with 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 USA.
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