No.215
Beigoma Spinning-Top Match
Japanese name: ベーゴマ勝負
Materials
- One unmodified beigoma top and its cord per person
- A stable dedicated spinning arena (toko)
- An experienced adult who can teach the technique
How to play
- An experienced spinner checks the arena and surroundings, then demonstrates winding and a low launch. Learn one step at a time beside the demonstrator, facing the same way. Spectators stay back.
- For a right-handed example, place the top's raised center between the cord's two knots. Hold the starting wrap firmly and wind counterclockwise six or seven times. Reverse the direction for left-handed use.
- Hold the top level, send it low and sideways into the arena, and pull the cord toward you. Practise one person at a time until participants can spin it.
- When two players are ready, launch on the same signal. A top leaving the arena loses. If both remain, the one spinning longer wins.
- Wait until the tops stop completely, then retrieve them with an adult. Finish the match after three bouts and change opponents. Do not keep each other's tops or file and modify them.
Ways to adapt
Middle primary grades and up: learn with an experienced instructor. Adults: play regular matches.