# Spinning top

独楽 koma

![Spinning top](https://www.furoshiki.com/swatches/koma.svg)

A top that spins steadily wishes that things go smoothly; a New Year toy and lucky motif.

Nara period, probably via the Korean peninsula

Spinning tops reached Japan in the Nara period, probably through the Korean peninsula (koma is often linked to Koma, an old name for Goguryeo). They were first used at court, including by diviners who told fortunes from spinning tops. In the Edo period colourful tops became a popular toy, and spinning one at New Year was said to bring smooth luck for the coming year.

A New Year toy and a seasonal word for haiku; top-spinning (kyokugoma) is also a street performance art.

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Source: https://www.furoshiki.com/patterns/koma/