Summary
This tiny unpainted wooden spinning top is called a 'koma' in Japanese. It was purchased by the donor in Japan in the late 1980s. Such toys were played with by children throughout Japan when the donor was growing up but are now only sold at more specialist stores. She brought the toys to Australia in her capacity as a cultural ambassador, introducing Australians to Japanese traditions. Some of these toys were previously displayed at the Children's Museum, where the donor conducted several workshops from 1989 to 1993. These workshops introduced children to playing with such toys and to making origami.
This top forms part of the Australian Children's Folklore Collection (ACFC).
The ACFC is unique in Australia, documenting contemporary children's folklore across Australia and in other countries reaching back to the 1870s. The Collection has a strong component of research material relating to Victoria.
Physical Description
This top is made of wood. It consists of a small wooden spike which dissects a conical body.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mrs Masumi Hiraga, 13 Feb 2007
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Place & Date Made
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Collector
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
2 cm (Length), 3 cm (Outside Diameter)
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References
Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopaedia(Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, 1993); Japan at a Glance (Kodansha International Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, 1997); [Link 1] Traditional Toys of Japan (Craft & Folk Art Museum, Los Angeles, 1979).
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Keywords
Children's Play, Early Childhood Development, Games, Japanese Toys, Toys, Making History - Australian Childrens Folklore
