Vintage Japanese Zuguri Koma | Hand Spinning Toy

Dimensions: 6-0 x 2-0” dia 

Toys and Tops of many shapes and materials have been found throughout Japan and are among the most ancient toys known.

This Koma called a Zuguri Spinning Top was specifically made for use in the “snow” and was popular in the Edo period traditionally had multiple colors as with this piece that has a Fuchsia-colored Fusha spinner hand activator with a spinning top with stripes in which each color has its own meaning; red represents health, black, (power); green, (harvest); and purple, (nobility). This motion is produced by holding the axis firmly while pulling a string. The weight of the top allows perfect rotation, producing an overall circular motion. The bottom of the top has a point that allows more control in the snow for which this top was made. Prominently featured is the face of Daruma featured above the stripes.  Katakura Family traditional Narugo toymaker who focused on spinning tops, (Koma) where this piece originally came from the Narugo Onsen in Miyagi Prefecture.

Condition: Excellent condition means that the piece has no cracks or repairs with fine and original details consistent with the age and standards of collectible Vintage Japanese Toys. For those who want to start or expand their collection, Japanese toys and tops continue to be sought-after collectible highly valued artifacts.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Toys and Tops of many shapes and materials have been found throughout Japan and are among the most ancient toys known. In Japan, top playing was a boys’ game bound to specific events and seasons for which spinning tops were serious games, (fighting tops) and general spinning tops being an everyday toy is symbolic of housebound children in winter and on holidays.