Summary
Alternative Name(s): Finger Top
Bought in Sydney in 1982.
The Australian Children's Folklore Collection 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.
Top-spinning is an ancient activity. Tops dated at 1200-1400BC were excavated in Egypt, and they are often mentioned in classical literature. They are found throughout the world and used by adults and children, in rituals as well as for games of skill. Japan, China and Korea have a long tradition of making and using tops. The toy has persisted in Japanese culture to the present day, and the variety of tops is astonishing. Some Japanese children, usually boys, are very skilled top-spinners. The variety of tops demonstrates the importance of this toy in Japanese culture. This object is an example of a contemporary Japanese finger-top, decorated with coloured rings in the style of many Japanese tops.
Physical Description
Small wooden finger top, flat with a thin spindle. Top is painted green around the circumference, with blue and green concentric rings on the flat upper surface, and a red ring in the centre, at the base of the stem. Acknowledgement: Australian Children's Folklore Collection, Museum Victoria.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
Leisure, Home & Community, Childhood, Migration & Cultural Diversity
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Acquisition Information
Cultural Gifts Donation from Dr June Factor, 18 May 1999
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Acknowledgement
Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program.
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Date Purchased
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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
3.25 cm (Length), 3.25 cm (Width), 3 cm (Height)
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References
Gould, D.W.; The Top, Universal Toy, Enduring Pastime; Bailey Bros & Swinfen Ltd., Folkestone, England. 1975
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Keywords
Children's Play, Crafts, Cultural Traditions, Japanese Toys, Toys, Woodworking, Making History - Australian Childrens Folklore
