1. What Is Beigoma, and How Is It Played?
Beigoma is a game where players spin tops on a platform and compete against each other. In the Kansai region, the platform was often a rectangular mat made from folded straw mats. In the Kanto region, platforms were often made by stretching sheets or vinyl over barrels or buckets [1].
One common rule was called "serious match." In this version, the player whose top spun the longest would win and take all the tops that had been used in the match [1].
2. Why Beigoma Is Named After Shell Tops
It is said that Beigoma originated from tops made using the shells of a type of sea snail called "bai." There is a tradition that this started in the Heian period (794–1185) around Kyoto, where people filled snail shells with sand or clay and spun them with string. However, there is no clear evidence to support the claim that this existed during the Heian period [1].
The oldest confirmed record is from the "Nippo Jisho" (Japanese–Portuguese) dictionary in 1603. During the Edo period, these tops were called "bai-mawashi" or "bai-toku." As the game spread from the Kinki region to the Kanto region, the name "Baigoma" is said to have changed into "Beigoma" [1].
3. How Beigoma Changed from Shells to Ceramics to Iron
Later, the material for Beigoma was replaced by cast iron. Cast iron is made by pouring melted iron into a mold. During the war, it is said that tops made from ceramics (pottery) were used [1].
4. Kawaguchi, a Town Famous for Casting Iron Tops
Items made by pouring melted iron into molds are called "castings." Kawaguchi City in Saitama Prefecture was known as a town for this industry. The official page for Kawaguchi City states that Beigoma were actively made in foundries across the country, and that Kawaguchi, a town of castings, was a major production center. It also notes that Beigoma are still made in Kawaguchi today [8].
The casting industry in Kawaguchi is said to have developed during the Edo period. The availability of sand and clay from the Arakawa River, and the ability to transport goods by boat to Edo, helped the industry grow [4]. The exact start time is unclear, but some sources suggest it began as a side job during the off-season for farming.
A furnace used to melt iron is called a "cupola." According to Wikipedia, a cupola is a vertical furnace that melts iron using the heat from burning coke, reaching temperatures of 1,600°C. Until around the 1980s, there were many cupolas in Kawaguchi [5]. The 1962 film "The City Where Cupolas Stand" is set in this area [4].
5. When Beyblade Was Released: July 1999
Beyblade has been sold by Takara Tomy (formerly Takara) since July 1999 [2]. According to the official timeline, the first models included "Ultimate Dragoon" and three others [3].
On the Takara Tomy recruitment site, an employee responsible for planning and development said that the first generation in 1999 started as a toy edited from Beigoma, focusing on simply hitting tops together and losing if one flew out [9].
Wikipedia also describes Beyblade as a "modern version of Beigoma." It is positioned as a product that developed the ease of modification and the fun of competition found in the traditional Japanese toy [2]. Thus, the explanation that the 1999 Beyblade is based on Beigoma is confirmed by the words of the company’s own developers.
6. What Beigoma and Beyblade Have in Common and How They Differ
Both games involve spinning a top and competing against an opponent.
The first type of Beyblade is made by combining several parts. Users can customize their "Bey" by changing these parts [2]. Matches take place in a special platform called a "Stadium." The winner is the one who knocks the opponent out of the stadium or spins longer than the opponent [2]. This is different from the "serious match" rule of Beigoma, where the winner took all the tops used in the game [1].
7. The Four Generations of the Beyblade Series
The official timeline divides the Beyblade series into four generations [3].
The first generation (July 1999–) was "Bakuten Shoot Beyblade." A TV anime started in January 2001, and the toy is said to have become very popular among elementary school students across Japan starting with the anime [3][2].
The second generation (August 2008–) was "Metal Fight Beyblade." It featured a four-layer structure: face, wheel, track, and bottom [3].
The third generation (July 2015–) was "Beyblade Burst." It introduced a "Burst" gimmick, adding a way to win by bursting (breaking) the opponent [3].
The fourth generation (July 2023–) is "BEYBLADE X." It combines elements from the previous three series and includes an acceleration gimmick called "X Dash" [3].
8. The Three Parts of BEYBLADE X: Blade, Ratchet, and Bit
Current BEYBLADE X products are made of three parts: "Blade," "Ratchet," and "Bit." The Blade is the main part that hits the opponent. The Ratchet determines the height of the Bey. The Bit determines the movement of the Bey [7].
The official timeline explains the "X Dash" acceleration system as a feature of BEYBLADE X [3]. According to Wikipedia, the stadium has rails called "Extreme Lines." The Beyblade meshes with gear-like teeth on these rails to accelerate. Beyblades are launched using a launcher [6].
The official website introduces products where the Blade is split into three parts, such as the "Custom Line," allowing performance to be customized by combining parts [7].
9. How to Investigate Spinning Tops Safely on Your Own
Let's investigate spinning objects in a safe place. You can spin a regular top and measure how long it spins. Compare the time on a slippery floor versus a rough floor, ensuring you do this in a safe location. Ask adults if they played Beigoma or Menko (a card game) when they were children. Write down one word that interests you, such as "What is a cupola?" to help you look it up later.