Dictionary Of Japanese Tops.

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· A SHORT DICTIONARY OF JAPANESE SPINNING TOPS.

Please note that many of the images illustrating the dictionary have been provided by the Kikobo Shop and Mr Eiji Ohashi.

Please visit their pages to see more pictures and have the opportunity to buy on line from the kikobo shop.

Their URL is: http://www.bigai.ne.jp/kiboko/edogoma/index.html

Mr Ohashi's site is

http://www.fsinet.or.jp/~eohashi/index-e.htm

He is well on the way to providing an English version of his web pages, which will be a most valuable study site and contribution to the recording of the wonderful tradition of Japanese spinning tops.

The Kikobo shop have been kind enough to donate to me a copy of the book on Edo tops. I am currently having a little of it translated so I can not give you the full reference, but contact the Kikobo shop to buy a copy. It is copiously illustrated but frustratingly for those who do not read Japanese, it is all in Japanese.

I am grateful for the generosity of these two friends.

Another on line shop is http://www.hakone.or.jp/izumiya/top.html

Introduction.

For all of the wonder variety and intricacy of Japanese tops and the role, they play in the cultural history of that country; there is precious little about this wonderful toy and pastime written in the English language.

I have spent most of four years collecting what crumbs from the table that I could find. I have emailed people, written to others, followed up various leads, and frequented local libraries, all to no avail. "Crumbs" was all that I gleaned.

Recently I found myself away from home and all my normal pursuits and subsequently very bored! I decided that I would spend as much time as I could tracing Goulds bibliography references to South Pacific and Japanese tops. I have to say that I was very successful with my South Pacific references, but I was again very frustrated with my Japanese searches, though I did find some that were valuable.

Not to be deterred I decided that I would be somewhat more focused on my target to learn about Japanese tops so I went to the library and used the internet (I was away from home remember) and followed up every avenue that my searches revealed. I discovered that there had been a Kite and Top exhibition in Jamaica in the West Indies, so I promptly wrote to them, then (as I had a "free" telephone!) I rang the Australian Japanese Embassy and was told to write to the Cultural Attaché. This kind person sent me some quite useful material, including the fact that last year, in Australia, this same Kite and Top exhibition had been mounted in two of our cities. Can you believe that I missed it! :( That is the result of living in the country as opposed to the big cities!

This has led me to contact the local Japan Foundation, and a very helpful group they have been. They have sent me "all" that they had on the subject and I reciprocated. As the result of this exercise I believe that I am now in a position to share with the "tops world" a synthesis of what I have discovered. But there still is a huge amount that I have to discover. If you, the reader of this article, can help please, please please, contact me.

It should be noted that I have not done any original research on this topic and all information that is included in this article is gleaned from a variety of articles. Where the authorship of these articles is known I have referenced it.

History.

Most of the reference books and encyclopedias that you will consult will tell you that tops came to Japan form China, via Korea about 1200 years ago. They often state that the origin of the word Koma, which is the Japanese word for tops, comes from the Japanese word Koma for a region of Korea.

More recent scholarship has cast doubt upon the theory that Japanese tops had their earlier origins in Korea. Items thought to be tops have been unearthed from the Tomizu Ruins, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and the Fujiwara Palace Ruins, Nara Prefecture. It would appear that though one of the objects found appeared to have been made on a lathe, the koma unearthed are, for the most part, "natural" objects not man made. Having said this, there are man made wooden objects that have been found in those excavations that could possibly be koma.

From my own researches into ethnic tops, it seems reasonable that as the first tops that many cultures used were natural stone or seed based tops, it could well be the case for Japanese tops. Though this statement does not exclude a Korean influence on the development of tops in Japan.

What does appear clear is that the so called native tops of Japan were at some time mixed with the imports from China, Korea, and perhaps other Asian countries. By the period known in Japanese history as the Heian Period (794-1185), it appears that tops from these other countries had made a large impact. At first they were used as pastimes by the aristocracy and also used in court ceremonies.

Going back to the origin of the word koma. It is said that the word was first used in the diary of the Emperor Yuryaku in the Nihonshoki, [I do not know the date of this] however some scholars question this. In the 10^th century in a Chinese literary work called Wamyosho the word is recorded, but the Japanese equivalent was koma tsukuri. These words translated as "that which had a hole in it". Clearly this refers to a hole that is a device that allows the tops to "hum". This type of top can be seen in the history of a few nations. In Japan this top was made from bamboo and still exists today as the bamboo narigoma known as the togoma. Other names for tops in the Tahoko region prior to the Meiji and Taisho periods were zuguri, suguri, and zunguri.

Tops became so popular in the Genroku Period (1688-1704) that various bans were placed on their use, but they became almost purely children's toys by the end of the Tokugawa Period (1603- 1866).

Recent history (post World War Two) has shown a decrease in tops as a children's game, but it has blossomed as an adult hobby.

Here are a few explanatory notes.

GOMA and KOMA same

EDO is old name of Tokyo.
There are other groups of tops like, HAKATA GOMA, SASEBO KOMA, OKINAWA KOMA and so on, that are bnames of prefectures, cities or towns. You will see more of these terms explained in the dictionary below.

Please note that much of the above history has been gleaned from an un-attributable article that I received from the Japan Foundation Library. I suspect that it might have accompanied the above mentioned exhibition of Kite and Tops.

· Acrobat tops. An acrobat with skewers upon which tops spin. Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

There are professional top spinners in Japan. They do shows in which the do many clever tricks. They spin on a string, on the spinning on the edge of a sword etc. This top is some kind of a representation of an acrobat and "spinner" doing their tricks.

Have a look at the following web pages

http://members.tripod.co.jp/mimasu/index-1.html Just a photo

http://homepage2.nifty.com/miya38/  A few pictures of her performance.

I regret that they are in Japanese. The second site has a lot of links but only one of them has a picture of a top and a small one at that. I would suggest that unless you read Japanese it is not worth following the links

Ajisai to Kaeru. June. Hydrangea and frog. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Apple top. ( See Ringo Koma) An apple shaped top that is a supported spinner pulled with a string.. In Japan they always eat eat red ones, and it would appear that they never eat green ones. So the apple top is coloured red

Age of Fable Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text.

Aka Goma Red top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Angler and Devil Fish Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Ate-goma. This spins on a pedestal and can be used as a game relating to where it stops.

Ate means forecast. There are various tops that forecast such things as the Weather, your good fortune etc.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Baigoma The origins of this top is the cone shaped shell kaibai. It was a very popular top for the common people. It developed from the original shell by whittling down the top of it and filling the cone with wax or clay. (or a bell was inserted ?) This gave it weight. Further developments were when they made it from iron when the typical shell shape was lost in favour of a cone shape. It is reported that these tops were used for gambling and consequently were banned from schools. They were especially popular in the Edo to Meiji period especially in the Kyoto-Osaka areas. In Edo the name for it is Begoma.

· Bai Mawashi. Conch shell game.

BAI means shell. MAWASHI means spinning.

Many years ago, in 1900 or more, they put clay inside the shell, making it top. BAI top is unsymmetrical, using natural shell. After BAI shape top made of iron, the name changed BAI top to BE top or BEI top.
Usuallyit is pronounced "beh goma".
BEH GOMA maker's web page URL Japanese only
http://www.cablenet.ne.jp/%7Ebeigoma/variety.html

Here you will see pictures of a few types of shell tops. They are made of metal and are quite small. I find them extremely difficult to spin. There is hardly any space to wind the string around.

BATEREN
100 or more years ago we had many missionaries from Portugal
In Portuguese Padre means father. Padre changed to BATEREN in Japan.
Their noses are longer than Japanese ones.

· Begoma. Whip top

· Bateren-goma. A top that spins on a pedestal and stops over the hearts/ spades/ diamonds/ clubs, symbol.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

BATEREN
100 or more years ago Japan had many missionaries from Portugal. In Portuguese Padre means father. Padre changed to BATEREN in Japanese.

Bene Koma

Red top (Beni = red) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Bikkuri Koma = Surprising top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Bowl Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Bozu. Bald top. Peg top

BOZU has two meanings. One is Buddhist priest. the other is "bald". Because he should have his head shaved.

Buta Koma Pig top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Bun Bun . (Sound of top) Humming top. Supported top, but not all Bun bun tops are supported Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Bunshichi Koma. The name of the man who created( made) it Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Candy Seller. A doll with a tray of "candy" on its head. The candies are tops. The doll also holds a children’s toy called a dendendaiko, which is a small paper drum. This also detaches and spins along with the candy tops. The basket on his head also spins and causes the doll to move.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Cartwheel Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Cat with Kittens Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Chokuren. (?)Peg top

· Chochin-goma. Lantern top. A lantern upon which a top spins on a skewer.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Chawanmushi Insect tops inside a chawanmushi bowl.

Chanwanmushi is one type of Japanese bowl.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Cherry Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Chopstick rest Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Coin Koma Coin top ( ie made from a coin) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Cubes Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Daikoku Koma The name of a god Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Daimyo Koma    Daimyo Top (Diamyo means Lord of the Province) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Dancing dog top. A top spins on a skewer from the dog’s head. The dog "dances" as the result of the motion of the spinning top.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Dancing top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Dangai. = (Cliff) Straight side peg top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Daruma Koma A top on a tower with three darumas (From the Narago , Miyagi province.) The top gets its name from the Buddhist Holy man whose character decorates the base of the top upon which it is spun. These three Darumas are on strings that spin out like a swing round-a-bout.

Daruma Ate Koma Daruma fortune telling top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Dice Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Don ben. Bowl and cover peg top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Don go law    Teetotum Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Doza (Locality. The name of a town). Peg top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

.Double top. These are spun on top of each other.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Dragon top. Made for the year of the Dragon (2000) The dragon appearance is made up of two tops.

   Here is another type

Drum Top

Ebisu Koma Ebisu top ( a god name) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Edo tops

· Egg –plant top. An eggplant supported spinner. Fuefuki-goma or Fue-goma.

Ejiko (ezuko) basket with vegetables inside it.

Emperor and Queen Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Fall and Flutter tops Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Family tops. Small tops secreted in a larger top that is supported on a round like base. The container and the small tops all spin.

Flower top. Spun on tall skewers. See hanagoma

Fruits and Vegetables.

Japanese tops are rich in these images. You will find many of them in the dictionary entries. Here they are with their English names. Pictures with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Here are a list of the fruits and vegetables that you can find amongst them.

Tomato, Apples, Eggplants, Fruits, Fruit Basket, Tangerine,

Watermelon, gourd, carrot, Cucumber,  turnip,  Watermelon,



Fukusuke ghost.

To see a picture of this go to http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm

Fukusuke This is the name of a doll Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Gingai Koma Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Genie with a long nose Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Gensuii. (Makers family name) supported top. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Ghost tops. A variety of shaped tops with faces on them are presented in a lidded box.

There is a story that goes with the Ghost tops. (As indeed there are for many of the tops) It would appear that a servant girl was employed by and aristocrat. She had great difficulty in doing her work well and was often chastised by her master. In the end he dismissed her.

The shame of having to go home following her dismissal was greater than she could bare so she threw herself down a well, thus committing suicide.

Now when ever a ghost top spins it brings her up from the well, and when it stops spinning she returns to the well.

· Gingai. (Province) peg top

· Gold Fish tops. Four tops representing goldfish are stuck into a mushroom shaped holder. All the tops spin including the holder.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Golf Game. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Good Friends Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

Ghost putting on a mask

To see a picture of this go to

http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm

Goshiki Koma. Five coloured top. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Great Luck top. Teetotum. From Tottori. Hexagonal. The sides are. Labeled. Supreme good luck, partial luck, poor luck, holiday, no worry, no good, etc. In the past the faces of the top were left blank for the purchaser to fill in with their own labels!

· Gongonggoma. Hummer

· Gyokugoma. Acrobat top

· Hakata. (City name in Hukuoka Prefecture) supported top. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Hakatagoma which originated in Hakata, Kyoshu was rather like the Tetsudogoma. It was wooden with an iron axle. It was known as a long spinner (though I would have thought with the weight of the axle it would be a fast spinner as opposed to a long spinner, but even that depends on the rest of its construction, I think the boys that put the iron ring around it knew something about making a top spin a long time!) However, a young (handsome!) boy came to Kyoto (1700) and put on a top acrobatic show for them thus popularizing acrobatic tops in Edo. It was this gyokugoma that established the tradition of acrobatic tops and the system of "top masters". These masters even travelled to America in 1863 to perform their tricks to an admiring American public. The Edo tradition of acrobatic tops remains today.

· Hana goma. (Flower tops) Tops that are spun on multi skewers

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Hana fuda goma. Roulette tops. A top is spun on and elaborate tray and remains in position when it falls.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Hanshagoma. Hummer

· Happagoma 8 sided top (teetotum)

· Hanzaka. (locality) twirler

· Hashioki. Koma. Twirlers

Helmet tops. Made for the Sekku festival

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Heso. Navel peg top (yes, our belly button top) <smile>

Hiko-ichi This is the name of a witty person who is a character from old stories. This is a raccoon dog, transformed by him, because he loved to tease humans. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Himomaki-koma String wound top (thrown or peg top)

· Hina matsuri. Doll Festival Tops. This is after a doll festival for girls in the community. It is a set of dolls representing the Emperor and Empress and members of their entourage. Usually comprising 7 dolls that spin. Also represents the month of March ina year of tops.

· Hinaku . (A town name) supported top

· Hineri Koma Twist twirler Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text



Hirado Koma. Hirado top. Name of a town. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Hirayama. (locality) peg top

Hue Koma Whistle top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Hujo Koma Hujo Top (town name wit large and small tops )   Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Huki Goma Blown top or air top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Hukuguruma Koma   Lucky cart. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Husya Koma Windmill Top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Hyoutan. Gourd whip top. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Ibo Koma. Wart top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Iizaka A town name Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Inoshishi Koma Wild boar top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Insect tops. Small insect decorated tops that are in a cylindrical box (Chanwanmushi) the top of the box also spins on a long spindle.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Inu Koma Dog top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Iro Koma. Coloured top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Ishigakijima Koma = Island top. Jima means Island. It is an island in the Okinawa Prefecture

Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Itohiki Goma = Threading top. Pulled string top.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Itoturi Koma. (Ito) Ito means string. We would call it a hanging top. It is spun in the air rather like a buzzer, It isthen released and spins on the ground. As yet I have not seen how it is released.

Journey Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Jumyogoma Lifespan top. Spin it to have your life span fortune told.

Jindai Koma A mythological age Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kabu Koma Turnip Top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Kabutu tops (Helmet tops) a set is produced for the Sekku festival (Tango or Iris festival) The tops represent warriors with helmets.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Kaeru Koma Frog top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kaga Koma Kaga Top (City name) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Kake. Seat Shaped supported top (Note Kake means Hang, but this is not a hanging top) See also Sasebo Kake

Kami Koma Paper top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kamahu Koma Pot top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Kamiyo. From the Sadohora province. Similar to the Hiniku top but painted black and has the crest of the Lords of Shimazu painted on it. It is known by several other names.

Kappa putting on a mask

(Kappa : a water sprite

The kappa is a mischievous supernatural creature that's said to live in Japanese waters. They cannot live for long on the land, for they must always keep their heads wet. It has a green, scaly body with webbed hands and feet, a beak-like mouth, cropped hair, a turtle shell on the back, and a dent on the top of the head that holds water)

To see a picture of this go to

http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm

Karakasa. Peg top, resembling a partly folded umbrella when inverted.

· Karagoma. Hummer

· Kasa Koma Umbrella top A palm spinner (momi-goma)

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Kashinomi-goma. Acorn top

· Kasu. Turnip peg top

Kazari Koma. Decoration top (?decorated) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kenka-goma

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Kiccho Koma Lucky Top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kiku to ringo. November Chrysanthemum and Apple Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kinoko. October. Mushroom Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kochi Rira Koma A name of a prefecture Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kokeshi Koma Doll top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Koheshi. (Palm spinner) See momigoma

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Koinobori May. Carp Streamer Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kokyu Koma High grade top. I do believe that these are tops that have an extremely good finish. I have found that they are suitably more expensive.(!) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Koma. Nut

Kudamono Koma. Fruits top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kurisumasu and Yukidaruma December. Christmas and the snowman. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Kutiki Hummer

· Kenka-Goma. Fighting tops. Made in Ume-cho and Oita Prefecture. Tops are spun on a tray and the one that stays on is the winner.

Kujira Koma Whale top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Kyoku. Acrobat top Supported top. Common with children. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Kyokugoma (Acrobat top) It is this tops that probably intrigues me most. I have heard of some wonderful tricks that the top masters can do. I would just love to see them in action.

Kyo Koma Kyo top ( Kyo means metropolis therefore could it be City Top?) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Lidded Hummer

· Megane Koma A ring supported top, string pulled. Megane means glasses.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Mame Koma. These are very small tops

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Meoto Koma Couple top (?duo top or husband and wife top) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Kasa, Teruterubozu, Kaeru. July. Umberella, doll and frog. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Matsu Kasa. Straw hat peg top

Matsukasa Dangai Koma Pine cone cliff top (Matsukasa=pinecone; dangai=cliff or precipice) I could suggest a translation that is, "straight sided pinecone" top)Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Matsukasa Dangai. Thrown top

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Megane. Glasses, string pull.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Meijin Koma. Master Top.

· Meoto-Goma Couple top or Husband and wife tops.(mp01)

· Merry go round tops. ( The same name in Japanese) A top on a pedestal that has three faces on strings attached to it. When it spins the string figures spin out like the fun fair rides.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Mini top. there are many mini tops. It means what it says

Minomushi Goma = Bagworm top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Mitsugumi Trio of tops Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Mikan Koma Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Momi-koma Rubbing top (Palm spinner)

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Moon and Rabbit Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Muchi. Whip top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Mugiwara Koma Straw decorated top (Not made from straw bu the face is decorated with coloured straw) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Mushroom tops. Tops shaped like mushrooms, and often presented stuck into a "log"

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Musya Koma Warrior top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Nagegoma   Throwing tops. I am fairly sure that we would call them "peg tops" but we also know them as throwing tops. The Iron tops (I think with an iron band around them) and one called baigoma are the best known of these tops. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Nagekoma (Image Courtesy Hakone Izumiya)

· Nakayosi Koma. Nakayosi is friend or partner. It is a double string pulled supported top. You can see one on my site.

· Nari Koma, Hum Sound

· Nari Koma. Naru Means Sounds thus the Humming top.

· Narigomai (Crying tops) We know these as humming tops. They have a hole in them, which produces a sound when they are spun. They also go under the names of unarigoma, kuteki, karagoma, hanshogoma, zogoma, and gonggongoma. They were originally made of bamboo, and this continues, but like all modern toys they are now made out of tin and plastic.

· Nari-koma Humming top Crying top

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Nasu. Eggplant Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Nezumi Koma Mouse top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Nidan Koma Double decker or two tiered top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Nijujikuru Koma . Double scallop peg top or Nijyu Zuguri Koma (Nijyu = double; Zuguri or Jiguri = dig the ground) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Ninja Koma A top depicting the Ninja

Nigyou Koma Doll Top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Nopperabo putting on a mask

Nopperabo : a goblin with a blank featureless face

To see a picture of this go to

http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm· Numbers game top. A top that spins on a pedestal and hangs when it stops over number dot.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Ohanami April. Cherry Blossom time. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Oikake Koma Chasing top (Rabbit and turtle) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Okinawa Koma A top made in that town. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Okkake-goma Chasing top. A top that is spun in a tray and then disks are placed on it to see which disks "Chase or Pass" each other.

one-eyed ghost putting on a mask

To see a picture of this go to

http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm

Oranda Koma Holland top. ( Presumably because of its colours) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Osaka. (A city name) supported top Some time Osaka Hira Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Osyogatsu. January top. Happy New Year Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

OWANI peg top. The name of a town in the Aomori Prefecture

OWANI is town name. Its meaning is big alligator.   Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Paper lantern monsters (there are two on the page)

To see a picture of this go to

http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm

Oyama Koma Oyama top (a town name ) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Pink (presumably the colour of the top!) twirler.

Roulette Top (See hanfuda)

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Poppo Koma (?) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Puppy top. A puppy that comprises two tops that separate.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Rikisi Koma. The Sumou Wrestler

Ringo Koma Apple top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Rokuhatu. or Rokkaku Koma Hexagonal teetotum Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Rokurokkubi

Rokurokkubi : a long-necked goblin

To see a picture of this go to

http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm

Rope-dancing ghost

To see a picture of this go to

http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm

Ryugo Diabalo Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Machika met Mr.Kamata today (March 31 ,2000) who is the maker of the tops on the Edogoma 2 catalog page. (See URL above) He told her an interesting story about Rokkaku-goma(Hexagonal teetotum).
The Hexagonal teetotum originated from the Kokeshi artisans in Togatta, Miyagi. When a kokeshi artisan in Togatta village dies, the village people come together for a memorial service to his home, and gamble with the Hexagonal teetotum. The dead artisan's family get 30 percent of gambling money as the banker.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Ruretto. Roulette top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Ruyugo. Drum cinched in the middle. Diavalo.

· Sakasa Top. Upside down. I.e. a Tippe top.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Sakadachi Koma (as above) handstand tops. Just like in English they seem to have a number of names for these tops.

Sakasu Koma Circus top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Sandan koma Triple decker ot three tiered top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Sanju Zuguri Koma Triple zugari top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Santa Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Sara-koma   or Saramawasi Koma (Sara = plate; Wasi = Spinning) Plate top. You will have seen these in many circus acts. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Saru koma Monkey top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Sasebo. (Province) peg top

Sasebo Kake Koma . (Kake = hang, but this is not a hanging top)

Saturn Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Seed/nutKoma. The most common of these is the Acorn seed/nut. It is a twirler top.

· Senpei-goma. Cake top.

· Shimabara. (A town Name in Nagasaki prefecture) supported top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Shin dai. Early type of twirler.

· Soroban. Like a disc of the abacus. Abacus top, Possibly a supported top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Suika Koma = Watermelon top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Sumou Koma. Wrestlers on a Dohyou (Fighting ring?) Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

and more somou

Suribachi (?locality)

· Taiko. Drum peg top

· Taiko-Goma Drum Shaped tops

· Taira Koma. Flat top

Tako Koma Octopus top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Tanuki Koma Racoon dog top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Tanuki To Tsuki. September. Racoon dog and moon. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Tatakigoma (Muchigoma-Hitting top [I am told that the word "Hitting" is a mistranslation, but I will leave it here until I find out what a better translation would be]) This is what we would call a whip top. There are many kinds of whip tops and were made locally. The Tohoku and Kyushu regions are most famous for their whip tops.

Tateyama Koma The name of a city in the Chiba Prefecture. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Te-goma. Palm spun top

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Temari Koma Ball Top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this tex

t

· Temawashi. Hand spun twirler. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Three wise men Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Tateishi. Please visit his web site by clicking on this text

· Tenki-yohou Koma. A delightful weather forecasting top.

· Tenori-Goma Tops to spin in ones palm.

· Tetsudo goma (Iron bound) These were originally a top with and iron axle and a thick iron rim. It was a toy produced in Asakusa and Edo during the Tempo Period (1830-1844) The children bought a wooden top from the shop and had the iron rim added by the blacksmith. As you can imagine, the game they played was to hit your opponent's top and presumably send it crashing. I winder if it might have been similar to the English "top in the ring" game where you tried to knock you opponents tops out of a prescribed ring?

Tetsu Shin Koma Iron Stem Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Tatsuishi Koma. Mini top Name of a town Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Tobidashi-koma Jumping out (or flying out) top. A large string pull top, lift the lid when it is spinning and smaller disk type tops come flying out.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Tobi-koma Flying top. This is a multiple top comprising about five tops inside a cover that come out one by one. It is a string pulled top.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Tohokuhsi. (the name of a district) supported top. Some times Tohoku Hiar Koma (Hira means flaT) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Tojin. Chinese style whip top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Tokkuri Koma. Sake bottle top. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Tongari. (Taper) Pointed twirler Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Tora Koma = Tiger top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Toro Koma ? Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Toro Tamadashi Koma stone lantern with exiting balls top( Toro= made from stone; Tamadashi= ball coming out) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Tota hei. (locality) supported top

Tochoji Koma   Tochji is the name of a town Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Tottorri Hei. (The name of a prefecture) supported top

Tottori Hira koma Tottori flat top. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Triple tops. Tops that are spun on top of each other.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

· Tsumami-goma Pinching top

Tsuri Koma Hanging top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Tubakugoma (Gamblingtop) These are clearly the equivalent of the teetotum. They had either 6 (ohanogoma) or 8 (happogoma) sides. Bets were placed on which side would land uppermost. They are currently locally produced in Tohoku (donkoragoma) and Tottori (daikichigoma).

· Turi-koma Hanging top. You seem to launch this via two strings rather like a buzzer.

Tyrolean Roulette

Tyurip Tulip Top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Uchi tsuke goma. Striking top

· Uke-goma. Catching top

· Unarigoma Hummer

Umajima Koma. Uwajima top. The name of a town Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

umbrella monster.

To see a picture of this go to http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm

Ume Ni Uguisu. February. Ume Blossom and Bush Warbler Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Uranai Koma Fortune telling top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Usuki-Goma. Bell shaped top of oak with an iron stem

Usagi Koma Rabbit top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Vegetable tops. These are either separate tops or a number of tops in a basket (Ejiko or Ezuko)

Wan Koma (?) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Warrior doll (May)

watermelon monster

To see a picture of this go to

http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm

watermelon monster and an umbrella monster

To see a picture of this got to

http://www.kikimimi.ne.jp/www/eohashi/fsi/c/o/obake1-e.htm·

Windmill tops. A palm top upon which it spun a tops with four fixed arms each ending in a disk. It looks rather like a "horizontal" windmill.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Winged

Whistle top. The spindle is a whistle too

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Yajirobei Koma Yajirobei Top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Yakko-goma. Slave top

Yamagata koma Yamagata tops (name of a prefecture)

· Yamanishi. (the name of a prefecture) peg top Some time Yamanashi Hira ( Hira means flat) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Yame Koma Yami top (Yame is a town name) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Yanagowa koma Yanagawa top (a town name) Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Yasai Koma Vegetable top Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

· Yasaikago. A vegetable basket. Comprising wooden basket containing vegetable shaped tops.

Picture with grateful thanks to the Kikobo shop. Please visit their sire by clicking on this text

Yonezawa Koma the name of a city

· Yosegi Koma. These are nice decorated twirlers.

· Zenigoma (Moneytop) There were Coins known as Bunsen that had a square hole in them. These were stacked and a hollow writing brush was inserted as an axle. Inside this a piece of bamboo was inserted. It was launched by winding a piece of string around it. The competition was to see how long it could be made to spin and the game eventually became known as jumyogoma (lifespan top) It was a favourite entertainment at drinking parties. It survived up until the end of the Meiji period. There after they were made from clay (not coins) and then commercially marketed.

· Zogoma Hummer

· Zuguri top. A town, Hirosaki-Kuroishi in the Aaomori prefecture. Shaped like a mortar bowl and rounded on the bottom for spinning in the snow. Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text

Below are some of my Japanese tops



Picture with grateful thanks to Mr Eiji Ohashi. Please visit his top site by clicking on this text



Tops Culture.
Whilst I am aware that the tradition of the top master still is part of the top culture in Japan, and that there are numerous top makers in the country, the ancient traditions appear to have died out. Japan is not alone in this phenomena. Tops were part of my boyhood six decades ago, now I rarely see a top played with the exception of the tin archemedian tops that we spin for our babies pleasure. For the most part tops and the art of spinning has become an adult interest in Japan as in most other developed countries. It is the adult enthusiast and top collector that seem to keep the art alive.
It would appear that the regional identification with tops remains, but even then I gather that there is a lot of cross fertilisation with the tops styles.

Conclusion.
Well, I have only scratched the surface. I understand that there are in excess of 1000 different kinds of tops in Japan. How do you go about finding all these? Cataloguing them? Photographing them? (Which is what I would really like to do.) Buying them ? ( I have to say that Japanese tops are definitely not cheap. The few I have bought I have felt were a lot of money!!)
You can tell from what I have gleaned form the article that I have that there is such a lot more that we have to learn about these tops and their stories. I have it in my mind to see if one of the big Japanese corporations would take this on as a project. What do you think? I have no experience in this kind of thing. Of course we would definitely want the project to be "English" or one of the mainstream European languages or we would end up with the same problem that I began with; There is so little published in English about this whole wonderful world of Japanese tops.
As usual there is an open invitation for you to contribute to this page. The more we pool our knowledge the more we will all learn. Perhaps the one question that I have relates to the size of the tops. As I have intimated I do have a number of illustrations, but in none of them is there given any indication of their size.
Thanks for reading this.

Please do not forget to visit the Kikobo Shop.

Please visit their page to see more pictures and have the opportunity to buy on line.

Their URL is: http://www.bigai.ne.jp/kiboko/edogoma/index.html

I am grateful for their generosity.

Brian

As a PS I received these pictures of tops from Tiawan from a young man studying tops for his Masters Degree. Those large tops are very interesting. I would love to know more about them.

Her are some tops created by Shozo Nishizawa, the last master top maker in Western Japan (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji). Height: 3"(7cm) Width: 1 3/4"(4.5cm).

Here is a 17th Century print

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