Posted 8 hours ago
kwqd
(1189 items)
This Japanese top is about 2.75" in diameter x 3" high and made of metal. It weighs about 8 ounces, decorated with two rabbits, but has no other marks. Not sure what the metal is. It has the appearance of aluminum, but must be weighted, if so.
There are at least two types of tops used in Japan, this type, a koma, which can be made of a variety of materials, and a cast metal type minus the central shaft, called beigoma.
https://japanophilia.jp/koma/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beigoma
Both were once very popular children's toys, originally brought to Japan from China. Their popularity declined after WWII but has somewhat enjoyed a resurgence since the late 1990s. This koma may be part of a zodiac set, based on the rabbits, but I have not been able to find anything else like it. I purchased this directly from a seller in Japan, so am fairly confident it was made there.
