japanese

[Jack]

i came across this while looking at koma videos, this is the first video ive seen of this style of japanese top actually spinning 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX9lmWhs16I

[poptop]

These tops are beautiful for their splendid color!

They are string playable too, but those iron diamond points are murder on the palm....flesh eaters to be sure!

Cecil would approve 

[Larry D.]

Nice find Jack.

I've come across others previously but never came across this one showing that form of Koma spinning so cleanly.   They are beautiful.

Thanks for putting it up here for us.

[cecil]

I put a hole in my wrist last weekend. Lot's of blood. Maybe it's time for gloves and a wrist ban. Danger is FUN. Delrin, and Plastic tips BREAK.

[johnm]

i came across this while looking at koma videos, this is the first video ive seen of this style of japanese top actually spinning 

The Eames short called Tops has one starting at 0:48 and its finish at 6:48.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJ-VFMymEiE

[Larry D.]

I put a hole in my wrist last weekend. Lot's of blood. Maybe it's time for gloves and a wrist ban. Danger is FUN. Delrin, and Plastic tips BREAK.

Sorry to hear of your accident Cecil.  Hope you heal up soon.

A suggestion if I may...get yourself one of these.
I never throw large tops without one.

[Jack]

I put a hole in my wrist last weekend. Lot's of blood. Maybe it's time for gloves and a wrist ban. Danger is FUN. Delrin, and Plastic tips BREAK.

holy crap what happened!?!?!??!?

i came across this while looking at koma videos, this is the first video ive seen of this style of japanese top actually spinning 

The Eames short called Tops has one starting at 0:48 and its finish at 6:48.

lol ive watched that video many times and didnt remember that was there lol u have dis-proven my initial premise  i salute u john 

[ta0]

They are string playable too, but those iron diamond points are murder on the palm....flesh eaters to be sure!

Poptop's hand had a close encounter with my oversize (8 inch tall) Sasebo koma :



I wonder how they make the "diamond" (octahedron) tip.  It could be just a casting, but the shape is a strange choice. Perhaps they start with a square bar and grind it?

They are from Sasebo, a port close to Nagasaki in the south of Japan. My exchange students did not recognize it, but they are from Takayama on the main island.
I found a nice tourist blog entry describing a mom and pop spintop store in that city, Sasebo tops:

lol ive watched that video many times and didnt remember that was there lol u have dis-proven my initial premise  i salute u john 

Lol, I have probably watched the Eames movie more times than you have, and I just now realized I have the top where they throw the colored disks at 4:20 (in the photo above with the Sasebo and the S8 Titi)  I recognized it when it died at 7:03.  I don't have those disks (or the launcher) but I could print replacements for the ones shown    The shaft has a stamp I could not read before, but now I think it says Made in France: I bet Cyril has it complete.

[poptop]

Nice pics.  I really hope to go to Sasebo someday.  Seems like they have a special top tradition ther going back some time.  I think they would absolutely freak out to see me boomerang one of their larger colorful Komas.  I have one a lot like the big one Ta0 shows here.  Haven't played it in a while, but I got fairly proficient getting it back to hand. (read: no stitches required Cecil) 

The iron tips on these are soft though...DAHIK

It's on the list...

[Kirk]

I wonder how they make the "diamond" (octahedron) tip.  It could be just a casting, but the shape is a strange choice. Perhaps they start with a square bar and grind it?

I have not seen one in person. From the photos they appear to be forged by a blacksmith.

[Jack]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrpVd6Z4QHk

[Jack]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5KfuDFSSnY

[johnm]

In the opening video of this thread I had missed the large Sasebo Koma on his work bench on the right side of the frame.
The sound of the diamond tip as the top is tipping over is perhaps unique to this top.

For the really big Sasebo top see this thread  link = Giant Sasebo Koma

During the recent sorting of Jack's sweet cache of Japanese top videos it seems this one about a bit of turning and painting of the Sasebo koma was lost (or placed where I have missed it).  The pile of blanks shows the marks of a drive center from initial turning between centers in what is likely a more conventional lathe for the western audience.  The lathe and jamb chuck used for finish turning and painting seems more Japanese style.  The painting station with many rotating work places might provide an option for someone like The Earl who may enjoy turning tops in public but may find occasion where the mess associated with the lathe may not be acceptable to his hosts.  Pre-made tops and a painting station where kids could decorate their own tops (perhaps with markers instead of paint) may provide a good interaction.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BrPl5boUCw

This battle top style throw of the Sasebo koma may interest Cecil in the versions that appear on ebay from time to time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmsoCbqcJPY

[the Earl of Whirl]

One can't have enough top spinning mascots! 

Sure love all those colors on the wood tops.  Even the mascot was painting the tops.

[cecil]

I kill him at 30 feet. And that is fun. I would love to fight tops with three to four inch tops at 20 feet. Let' just do it. I'm ready. I'm 69 so I hope we can do it soon.