Beigoma

The beigoma (Japanese: γƒ™γƒΌγ‚΄γƒž) is a traditional Japanese top that is approximately 3 cm in diameter and often decorated with kanji.[1][2][3] When spun correctly, the beigoma makes a humming sound.

Beigoma spinning top toys
Beigoma displayed for sale

Game play

Players wrap their tops in thin, 60-cm long cords which they use to launch the tops onto the playing surface of a canvas fabric sheet partially stretched over a bucket or similar items. The winner is the player whose top spins the longest or successfully knocks the opponent's top out of the playing area. Players will modify their tops to accommodate different play-styles by methods such as filing away material to change the shape of the top, adding in material like wax or lead to change the distribution of weight, and fine tuning via sanding imperfections caused by the casting process.

History

The beigoma may have come to Japan from China, originating as a wooden toy known as Koma, popular in the Kamakura period. Well known by the 17th-century Edo period, the toy was originally made by filling spiral seashells with sand and sealing them with molten wax. By the 20th century, beigoma were made of lead and later of cast metal. Their popularity peaked in the first half of the 20th century before falling out of favour as newer postwar toys became available.

The advent of the modern line of battling tops called Beyblade (introduced in 1999) has caused a resurgence in interest in beigoma.[4][5][6][7] However, as of 2001, there was only one factory still manufacturing traditional beigoma.[2][3][4]

References
  1. Mahoney, Tracy. "Toy Box". Archived from the original on 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  2. "What's cool in Japan:Beyblades". June 2001. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  3. Satoshi, Matsuoka (2001-12-15). "Trends Today". Nipponia. Web Japan. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  4. "Traditional Games Making a Comeback". The Japan Forum. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  5. "Tell Me Why". The Times India. ABP Pvt. Limited. 2005-12-29. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  6. Townley, Piers (2002-01-25). "Gadgets and Gizmos:Spin Dizzy; On A Whirlwind Trip From Japan". Daily Record. Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
  7. "Beyblade Beta History". Retrieved 2008-04-07.
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