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Author Topic: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop  (Read 1401 times)

Texture

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Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« on: May 18, 2020, 06:41:34 PM »

This video is a very interesting story about the top shop that Yukiko Yamamoto now runs, in Sasebo japan.  A truly unique part of this shop is not only do you buy tops, but you paint them too. I noticed they also sell kendamas. EDIT: I'm sorry, I posted the wrong video. This one has original sound. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XCu4NhHpqfQ
« Last Edit: May 19, 2020, 07:16:56 PM by Texture »
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ta0

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2020, 11:13:03 PM »

Great find! Although we had mentioned that shop before, I had never seen an interview with the owner (Yukiko Yamamoto).
It's great that her daughter is continuing the family tradition (and becoming a "saudauemon").

The front of the shop (and factory?) with the shape of the crown of a Sasebo koma is really unique:





I bet most people that walk by think it's some sort of rainbow  ;D

She says that only her family is keeping the tradition alive. I wonder if all the Sasebo komas that several of us have come from that shop.
« Last Edit: May 19, 2020, 08:47:34 AM by ta0 »
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ta0

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #2 on: May 19, 2020, 08:45:55 AM »

Just for Cecil  ;)

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cecil

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #3 on: May 19, 2020, 03:32:03 PM »

Thanks Tao - I Love it. Is there any way to find out who made the top, and how they did it? I worked at Westinghouse so I have ran big Machines. One had a chuck with 18 feet diameter- and I ran a Horizontal that had 400 inches travel.
https://youtu.be/fUvtUyNdj8Y
« Last Edit: May 19, 2020, 03:41:42 PM by cecil »
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Texture

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #4 on: May 19, 2020, 06:35:40 PM »

I wonder if all the Sasebo komas that several of us have come from that shop.
I wonder too. I personally have two, but they come with a box, and one has instructions for other komas (supported, peg), and even a diabolo, which makes me unsure. Perhaps at some point there were other Sasebo tops in other stores.





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Texture

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #5 on: May 19, 2020, 07:10:22 PM »

A very small part of this video features Sasebo tops being made.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HiuiYDuecwM

at about 1:20. All else is unrelated.
« Last Edit: May 19, 2020, 09:55:01 PM by ta0 »
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Jeremy McCreary

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2020, 11:04:51 PM »

Thanks for sharing these videos, Texture.

Kind of on topic...

What woods are typically used to make traditional Japanese wooden tops? Based on my Edo Tops book by Masaaki and Masaaki and on many photos and videos posted on this forum, one or more very light-colored fine-grained woods seem to be used almost exclusively.
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Texture

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #7 on: May 20, 2020, 12:40:07 AM »

Thanks for sharing these videos, Texture.

Kind of on topic...

What woods are typically used to make traditional Japanese wooden tops? Based on my Edo Tops book by Masaaki and Masaaki and on many photos and videos posted on this forum, one or more very light-colored fine-grained woods seem to be used almost exclusively.
Good question. One of my own Sasebo tops and the stand are made of walnut, the other, I'm not sure.
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Dick Stohr

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #8 on: May 20, 2020, 09:38:58 AM »

Missed opportunity????? In 1973 the ship I was on tied up in Sasebo for a couple if days. At the time I knew nothing about tops. I did not get a lot of time ashore but this would have been a better place for me to stop in than I did.  >:D >:D
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Texture

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2020, 10:39:07 AM »

Missed opportunity?????
Definitely!  :o
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Jeremy McCreary

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Re: Chronicles of Sasebo, Koma Top Shop
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2020, 03:44:17 PM »

Missed opportunity????? In 1973 the ship I was on tied up in Sasebo for a couple if days. At the time I knew nothing about tops. I did not get a lot of time ashore but this would have been a better place for me to stop in than I did.  >:D >:D

The other side of regret...



« Last Edit: May 20, 2020, 04:48:27 PM by ta0 »
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