Today we continue our article series about Japanese games and toys by introducing you to the history of the Japanese spinning top. It might sound strange at first but the classical spinning top has been a popular toy in Japan for hundreds of years now, continuing their success until today. 
 The first step in the evolution of the top in Japan was the Beigoma (ベーゴマ). A Beigoma is a small but light pointy shaped toy of approximately 3 cm in diameter, it is spun by wrapping a thin 60 cm cord around it, then throwing it while releasing the cord to spin it onto a surface such as matting spread across the top of a barrel. The thrower aims it at another beigoma that is already spinning to knock it out of the playing area. The loser is the player whose top either stops spinning first or is knocked outside the area. If spun correctly it makes a humming sound.

Beigoma may have come to Japan from China, originating as Koma (こま), a classical wooden top.The toy was well known in the 17th century Edo period and was originally made out of empty seashells. By the 20th century, they were made of lead and metal. 

Beigoma’s popularity peaked in the first half of the 20th century, losing favour as newer post war toys became available. 
Recently, the popular Beyblade toy, which is modelled after beigoma has caused a re-surge in interest for spinning tops. Beyblade tops are made out of plastic and started by using a leash which makes them faster than a classical Beigoma. 

There is a whole franchise including Manga, Anime and movies to support the Beyblade hype, which caused a huge fan base, even outside of Japan. With Beyblade, the old Japanese tradition of spinning tops as toys is continued and is still present in today’s life and culture.