If that were the case I would be disappointed NOT to have a little flair added to my show. I'm surprised they didn't put you in a feather boa

We saved the feather boa for the encore!

I was curious and did a quick search and found Kuma tubes made by Illusion Arts Magic.
http://www.illusionartsmagic.net/details.php?pid=37&cid=1

They sell for $400.
Scott, I liked your video of the Kuma tubes.

Craig

You can make the Kuma tubes so inexpensively, but first you must find the bowl. vase or inside 'vessel'...after that the tubes and table parts are easy.

My father was the one who helped Okito remember how the
Kuma Tubes were done.

As Richard stated, he did the best.
Better than anyone.
And most recently, I was told that
Jay Marshall said
"No one else should be allowed to do the KUMA TUBES! Loo is the master!"

If you are interested in seeing the master perform it,
let me know, I will link you to a video of him performing
it in the late 1960's.

Hi Frances,

I've seen this wonderful video before, but would love to see it again.

~michael

I don't have the link on hand, but if you search
DeYip Loo Kuma Tubes Bozo
It should pop up right away.
I'll get the link later to post.

Found it... http://www.myspace.com/frncs/videos/video/1703870

I've seen the clip several times over the years and every time I watch it I am amazed and entertained.

Your dad's handling of the Kuma Tubes is so full of energy and movement. His casual handling of the tubes and almost tossing them around convinces watchers that they are truly empty. The final production of that huge pot of water is breath taking and seems impossible. DeYip Loo's handling is the best I have ever seen!

AWESOME... makes so much more sense than that other performer's overdoing... DYL was the best.

Here's a private video of my friend Sam Song, the best Chinese magician you have never heard of, performing the Kuma Tubes.
Password is Genii
http://vimeo.com/40537683

Jeff Pierce

Jeff, nice presentation. Very nice looking props. Thanks for the link.

I seen DeYip Loo perform the Kuma Tubes live at a home show many years ago.

On another occasion, he appeared as the worlds greatest fly casting fisherman, casting the line hundreds of years in the auditorium and hitting a small pool.

years ago at abbott's someone said there was a great review written about
the show that he presented. my father was afraid he it would have been bad.
This was in the late 80's, I think I was still in grade school.

I have a 16mm silent film of him performing the chicken vanish and he took off
his Okito robe and had his fly fishing outfit on.

Magic and Fly Fishing were his #1 loves more than hunting.
And if there is anything he could do he could do bring the two
together he did and succeeded.

I wish I had a video of him fly casting, I know someone who
has vintage video of him from the UP, but he's passed and I
am not sure what happened to his collection. He has such a beautiful
cast, and was a great fly fisherman as well.

wmhegbli, do you remember if my father performed the modern levitation
at the sports show? I would love have an account of his show.
I am not even sure what year it was. If my parents were married
yet or not. Let me know, I would love to add it to my book. It's
a very interesting moment to hear of a magician bring two completely
opposite professions together like that.

As I remember, they were at different times, meaning 2 different years and boat shows. I only remember it because, I was so surprised at seeing DeYip Loo performing, as it was not advertised at all by the promoters. I believe it was in the late 1970's at our Memorial Coliseum building. It is very large, so I only got to see him perform from a distance. I only remember the Kuma Tubes.

On another occasion, I was again surprised to see he was a fly casting champion. He was casting the line a little over half way the length of the Coliseum. To get an idea of the size; other days, the floor was covered with ice for the hockey games. So remove the ice and barriers and that is the size of the room he stood in the center of.

If he did any magic at the same show, I was not aware of it at the time.

It was amazing the see that line fly through the air in a zigzag formation, finally landing in the pool. He would wipe the fishing rod, back and forth extending the line a little at a time, the line was kind of suspended in the air.

The ones I have in the clip above are from Owen...they are great!

I just saw an incredible set that was made for Richard Himber by Merv Taylor. All stainless steel. Really gorgeous.

Richard

A stainless steel version...hmmm.
that sounds interesting, and would almost be easy
to manufacture

the ones my dad had he made himself.
everyone wants the vase though.

the set is at least 40 years old by now.

I have a set of U. F. Grant Nu-Way Kuma Tubes. The Celluloid insert that is in one of the fish bowls is cracked. Does anyone know where I can find information on making those. What material to use and where to get it. I also have other items like the Chen Lee Water Suspension that also need repair.

Sorry that is a trade secret held by U.F. Grant or the persons that made the gimmicks for him. It has never been revealed, when Jimmy King Jr. took over the Mak Magic business, I noted he dropped most of the tricks that used this kind of cellulose made gimmicks. (Note: U.F. Grant became Make Magic, some going to Jimmy King and some to a person named O'Neal Magic. O'Neal only lasted a year or two before going out of business.

So making these gimmicks seems to be lost forever. Interesting is that there was a plastic glue before plastic glue was on the common market.