Pop Japan

Beigoma is a traditional Japanese spinning toy. 

This toy is a 3-centimeter  disk-shaped toy, and is often decorated with kanji. It is well-known during the 17th century or the Edo Period, and is believed to be brought from China to Japan. They are first known as Koma or wooden toys. Nowadays, they are made of cast metal instead of wood. It is wrapped by a chord and is released onto a cloth or any surface by throwing. The first one that stops spinning is the loser in the game.

There is only one factory in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture that is still making Beigoma until 2001.

Beigoma is the inspiration of Takao Aoki, the creator of Beyblade.

Tags: sports, beigoma, beyblade, traditional japanese toy, kanji, edo period, china, japan, koma, wooden toy, kawaguchi, saitama prefecture, tako aoki