Hello! Everyone! It is the blog: How Unique Japan. We always share Japanese uniqueness through this webpage!
This time, we would like to introduce a traditional Japanese toy. It is like a spinning top. However, the toy has a battle system. It is called Beigoma.
It is called Beigoma.
Yes. It is the spinning top that strangely lacks the top for spinning.
How to play?
Do you know how to play the spinner without a stick? There is no device to make them spin, only a line. So, the player needs to wrap around with it.
As you can see from the picture, wrapping with a line is difficult. Besides, the player needs to shoot the Beigoma on a stage made of a bucket or pot covered tightly with a piece of sheet (lubber or straw).
We are sorry. The difficulty is not over yet. Do you remember that we said it was a competition?
So, there should be at least two players competing who would be the last survivor (whose toy would be the last one spinning on the stage) with a hit and an attack against the opponent’s spinning top. The material of the Beigoma makes the match more exciting.
The spinning top is cast metal. Thus, it sounds heavy when it hits against the opponent’s one.
Then, what is the price if someone wins? It is simple. The winner can take the Beigoma from the opponents. It is the rules and how to play with Beigoma.
The history
A historical theory suggests the Baigoma originated during the Heian era (794 – 1180 AD).
At that time, the game was only for children with loyal crass. So, it was the playing in high society. However, they did not use the metal. Interestingly, they made the toy with a shell. Please take a look at the picture.
It is named Bai shellfish. That is a popularly edible shell, although it has a weak poison (neurotoxin). Do not worry. If you carefully cut the salivary glands, it is harmless.
Then, the ancient Japanese utilized the shape as a spinning top, filling soil or sand.
The name Beigoma came from this shell. When it became a popular game, it was called Bai-goma from the Bai shellfish. As time passed, it changed into the name Baigoma.
We can modify them!
The other advantage of catching the children’s heart is that.
We can customize them according to the player’s preferences for their Baigoma. Those methods would sometimes involve rubbing the cast iron to get the spinner right. On the other hand, we can add weight with melted candle wax or lead.
Such flexibility charmed the children. They competed for originality, not only game records.
The popularity of the Beigoma hasn’t stopped yet. Have you seen the anime series “Beyblade”? (If you don’t know, please search with this name.) Two or more players use the shooter device to launch the spinning top on a stage. It is the Beyblade.
Indeed. The idea came from the Beigoma. However, the modern spinning top has become more complicated, similar to a strategy game.
First of all, it has (a lot of) custom parts. It would be over 300th parts for customization. (We visited the Beyblade site and tried to count. We quit due to the crazy numbers.)
Indeed. The player can adjust the height, weight, and power of the rotation from a modified combination.
It is the modern Beigoma game.
To close
This time, we challenged the traditional toy that is still popular.
But there are many other toys. It is indeed the tip of the iceberg. We also have topics, Menko card game, and Kemari (looks like soccer lifting). If you are interested in that uniqueness (not only toys), come and look at our blog.
It is not yet. We have another article categorized into four. Four topics are about Japanese lifestyle, food, the Edo era, and religions in Japan.
You might find another catchy article.
Thank you for reading this page. Be curious and search for joy! See you for the next article!