Beigoma

Beigoma is a traditional fighting top game that gained popularity during the Edo Period of Japanese history. The Beigoma its self is a metal top spun though the use of a wrapped cord. Beigoma is known as the inspiration behind the sport of Beyblading.

History
Beigoma may have originally made use of wooden tops that had been imported from China. Beigoma was well known in the 17th century Edo period and was originally made by filling spiral seashells with sand and sealing them with molten wax. By the 20th century, they were made of lead and later, cast metal. Their popularity peaked in the first half of the 20th century, losing favour as newer post war toys became available. During the hieght of Beyblade popularity Beigoma saw a resurgence.

The Beigoma
The Beigoma is a metal disk shaped top that has a 3 cm diameter. It is spun by releasing a 60 cm cord that has been wrapped around it. Beigoma are usually decoraded with Kanji.

Bey-toko
The Bey-toko is the arena in which the beigoma are battled. The Bey-toko is usually a bucket covered in stretched canvas.

Battles Rules
Most regions have variations on rules though it is generally understood that if a beigoma is knocked out of the Bey-toko, or stops spinning, it has lost.

Technique
The Beigoma is sun but release of a string cord. This cord is wrapped around the beigoma stem. One must throw the beigoma, then pull back on the string inorder to spin the top.

Production
Beigoma use to be produced widely in Japan, yet now only Nissan Chuzo's forge in Kawaguchi, Saitama, manufactures beigoma tops in Japan. Artisans who inherited Kawaguchi's casting techniques are able to manufacture beigoma tops in a careful traditional manner.