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(English Translation of Japanese Top Musuem)

 
 

The Game of Diabalo or Diavalo. This game was popular in 18th and 19th century in Europe. The "top" is spun on the string held between the two sticks and the momentum is kept up with rapid short movements. Many tricks and "throwings" can be achieved with this game. It is good fun. I do not know if it originated in Japan, neither do I know a Japanese name for it.

Supported top. The name for this in Japanese appears to be "Spring top" I think that this name needs to be explored more thoroughly. Certainly in Western Top terminology, a spring top is a very different type of top. The Western name for this is a supported top and to distinguish it from multiple launched tops we call it a single supported top.

 

Whip Top. This top was a favourite European toy. I do not know a Japanese name for this top. You wrap the string around the body of the top and through a variety of means you pull it to get it started. You then keep up the momentum by "whipping" the top. There are very interesting European customs surrounding this top, one of which is the existence of a "Village whip top" that was very large and the villagers all cam together to whip the top up and down the main street. It was aid to be for exercise and to keep warm.

 

Weather Forecasting top. This would work rather like a teetotum. I would imagine that it was spun on some type of base that had various weather conditions to choose from. If when the top stopped it pointed to, say Rain, then it was going to rain!!. I need to know more about this top as by itself it appears to be incomplete?

 

Mushroom Top. Well mushroom top it clearly is, but how it is spun I have no idea? I did read somewhere that if a top had a non pointed base then it was spun on ice. Is this such a top? Do I see a piece of string hidden behind it? Is it a string thrown top?

 

Carp Streamer. I have no idea how this would be spun. Is it a number of separate tops?

 

Wooden Doll (without limbs) I can understand the name, and I think that it spins on a peg at the top of the base. My translator also added the word "hitting". Well my understanding of hitting is a thrown top that is part of a game that "hits" one top out of a circle. I find it hard to associate "hitting" with this top.

 

Wooden doll (without limbs) This looks more realistic. The makers name is Masaaki Hiro.

 

The Game of Golf. Not too sure how we would play this game.

 

Dice. Yes this seems a reasonable name for a top that must spin and point to a portion of the base that has some penalty or advantage. Probably used for gambling or other games. Maker is Masaaka Hiro.

 


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