Tops – Koma

Tops – Koma

Yajirou Containers with mini Tops

The simple shapes and beautiful harmony of colors is what attracts us to Koma, a traditional Japanese game toy. The spinning top was a folk craft used as a toy, but also a traditional art perfected by the Japanese. As a kind of quip, the elegant spinning motion of the toy symbolizes “circulation of money” ”smooth work”, and “being quick-witted”.

Historically, it was in the Nara period that tops came into existence in Japan. It is said that they came to Japan through the Korean Peninsula, or perhaps appeared spontaneously in Japan. It is said that fortune-tellers called “koma-byoushi” told fortunes by circulating spinning tops in ceremonies held by the court.

There are many kinds of tops in Japan. Tops popular in the Edo period traditionally had five colors. Each of them has its own meaning; red represents health, black- power, yellow- wealth, green- harvest, and purple- nobility. They vary in color, shape, and size, depending on the region they come from, and all have unique characteristics.

Jindai Koma Top | Sadohara region  Miyazaki prefecture

Jindai Koma Top | Sadohara region Miyazaki prefecture

Typically had the crest of the lords of Shimazu. It is an old toy (Edo period – 1603-1867), with several other names.



Humming Bamboo Koma

“That which had a hole in it” which clearly refers to the tops with a slip that makes a sound of whirling, (Unnari).

Tougatta Ball Game of Luck | Sato, Masahiro | 1868

Tougatta Ball Game of Luck | Sato, Masahiro | 1868

Daruma Spinning Top Set | Kakizawa, Korenobu

Daruma Spinning Top Set | Kakizawa, Korenobu

These four top sets (above) rest on the edge of the base when stopped, or turn to tell a fortune, and are typically used for gambling games.

Dice Game Top | Mamoru, Tsuta | 1940

Dice Game Top | Mamoru, Tsuta | 1940

Edo Goma Game | Hirai Family | 1970

Edo Goma Game | Hirai Family | 1970

“Thunder God” | Raijin Dice Kaminaru, Sama | 1980

“Thunder God” | Raijin Dice Kaminaru, Sama | 1980

Birikan’na Tops

Birikan’na Tops

Harmonic Chattering works on the end-grain of hardwoods, (maple, cherry, walnut and rosewood), which is the only wood to withstand the force of the chatter tool.

Self-Containing Wooden Koma Top | 1960

Self-Containing Wooden Koma Top | 1960

Ohita (Prefecture) Ume Fighting Top The “Wart” type top | Taniguchi Kisaburo | 1970

Ohita (Prefecture) Ume Fighting Top The “Wart” type top | Taniguchi Kisaburo | 1970

Sakadachi Koma | Four Upside-Down Tops | 1980

Sakadachi Koma | Four Upside-Down Tops | 1980

Zodiac Koma | "Snake"

Zodiac Koma | "Snake"

Sumo Wrestlers on Dohyou | Hiroi Masaaki | 1935

Sumo Wrestlers on Dohyou | Hiroi Masaaki | 1935

Sakumani Top | Hiraga Kenichi

Sakumani Top | Hiraga Kenichi

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Antique Japanesse Jindai Koma Spinning Top | Sadohara region Miyazaki prefectureAntique Japanesse Jindai Koma Spinning Top | Sadohara region Miyazaki prefecture
Antique Japanese Nari Koma Whistle Spinning TopAntique Japanese Nari Koma Whistle Spinning Top
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Vintage Japanese Koma Tower of Tops with Yajiro-kei Kokeshi Head by Ooizumi, Kiyomi (1936-1980)Vintage Japanese Koma Tower of Tops with Yajiro-kei Kokeshi Head by Ooizumi, Kiyomi (1936-1980)
Vintage Japanese Kokeshi Kendama Toy with Yajirou-kei Head by Mamoru, Fumio, Tsuta FamilyVintage Japanese Kokeshi Kendama Toy with Yajirou-kei Head by Mamoru, Fumio, Tsuta Family
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Vintage Japanese Traditional Tougatta Ejiko Kokeshi, Entitled: Koma Kodoma by Sato, MasahiroVintage Japanese Traditional Tougatta Ejiko Kokeshi, Entitled: Koma Kodoma by Sato, Masahiro
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Vintage Japanese Set of Three Upside Down Sakadachi Koma |  Wood Hand Spun TwirlersVintage Japanese Set of Three Upside Down Sakadachi Koma |  Wood Hand Spun Twirlers
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Vintage Japanese Wood Six Sided Dice Spinner with Pips | Vintage Gambling Koma
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Vintage Japanese Temawashi Koma |  Wood Spinning TopVintage Japanese Temawashi Koma |  Wood Spinning Top
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Vintage Japanese Zuguri Spinning Koma | Daruma Sakadachi Top by Katakura FamilyVintage Japanese Zuguri Spinning Koma | Daruma Sakadachi Top by Katakura Family
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Vintage Japanese Zuguri Spinning Koma | Kijigangu Sakadachi Top by Katakura FamilyKoma in the Snow
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Vintage Japanese Daruma Gambling Game and Container for Koma Spinning TopVintage Japanese Daruma Gambling Game and Container for Koma Spinning Top
Vintage Japanese Yajirou Daruma Gambling Game and Container for Koma Spinning TopVintage Japanese Yajirou Daruma Gambling Game and Container for Koma Spinning Top
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Japanese Traditional Tougatta Kokeshi Koma | Kokeshi KijiganguJapanese Traditional Tougatta Kokeshi Koma | Kokeshi Kijigangu
Japanese Folk Toy Wooden Fighting Top | Ibo Wart Koma by Taniguchi KisaburoJapanese Folk Toy Wooden Fighting Top | Ibo Wart Koma by Taniguchi Kisaburo
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Japanese Wood Top Container Folk Toy with Spinning Top Cover and Miniature KomaJapanese Wood Top Container Folk Toy with Spinning Top Cover and Miniature Koma
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Rare Traditional Yajirou Okkake Koma, (Chasing Spinning Top) by Sato HideyukiRare Traditional Yajirou Okkake Koma, (Chasing Spinning Top) by Sato Hideyuki
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Rare Tougatta Kokeshi Baby in Bath by Mamoru, Fumio | Traditional Tsuta Family Kokeshi KijiganguRare Tougatta Kokeshi Baby in Bath by Mamoru, Fumio | Traditional Tsuta Family Kokeshi Kijigangu
Japanese Traditional Spinning Top | Vintage Koma by Katakura, Tomio
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Images of Buddha “Narigoma” Top  | Ishe Shrine | 1960
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Jindai Koma Top | Sadohara region  Miyazaki prefecture
Vintage Japanese Sasebo Spinning Whirling Circus Clown Koma | Kijigangu Sakadachi Top by Katakura FamilyVintage Japanese Sasebo Spinning Whirling Circus Clown Koma | Kijigangu Sakadachi Top by Katakura Family
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Tougatta Ball Game of Luck | Sato, Masahiro | 1868
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Daruma Spinning Top Set | Kakizawa, Korenobu