Introduction to the Art of Koma-spinning with supporting pictures and videos
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Koma-spinning - Let's start!
I would like to start Koma-spinning right away, {but I don't know which one I should buy?
How to get Japanese KomaIn former times the were sold in small candy shops, {and now there are very few places where you can get one.{I came across a few shops which do sell them, for example{Tokyu Hands in the party-goods section or from time to time in Toys-R-Us.Mail order shops on the internet (only in Japanese)
* Aa, Natsukashiya
* Nak-Toys
* The Japanese Koma Museum in Nagoya has a very good selection of Koma on sale.
If you live near Nagoya don't hesitate to have look.
The Japanese Koma Museum
Introduction of some of their Koma:
The following Codes are used:
B: Degree of recommendation for beginners
W: Degree of professionality, scope of techniques
K: Degree of danger
| * Tetsuwa-goma (Koma with steel-ring) | ||||
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| * Ki-goma (wooden Koma) | ||||
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| * Can-goma (printed and hollow like a tin can) | ||||
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* About the size of the Koma
There are 2 kinds of Koma, size 2 and size 3. {Size 2 is for children and size 3 for adults.{Usually size 3 is used.
* About the stringThe string costs about 20 to 30 Yen.There are about two kind of strings for artistic use. Which string should be used is subject to various theories, but simply put the thin string is more for the upper artistic levels and the regular string is used at the elementary level. But please be aware that for size 3 Koma the thick string is standard and for size 2 Koma the standard is the thin string. For size 3 it's best most people use the regular string.{The reason is that you get easily used to it and it is also good to handle.By the way, the writer also uses the so-called size 3 pair????? My personal conclusion
* for size 2 the thin string
* for size 3 the regular string
thin string and regular string
(*) As the string which is included in a Tetsuwa-goma set sold by toy shops etc. (could that be a cost related problem?) it is best to prepare a standard string seperately.
* For male adults using Tetsuwa-goma size 3 it's safest to buy standard string. * Preparation of the string The string, as it comes when you buy it needs to be prepared and cannot be used as is for skillful Koma-spinning.
* The length of the stringFor juggling a Diabolo etc. the string needs to be adjusted according to the body height, but for spinning the Koma there is no determined way to specify a special lenght.
As there is no so-called best length and there is hardly anyone who adjusts the length of the string according to body height or skill level (although there may be some)...To put it simple - the length of the string, as it comes when you buy it, is the most suitable length.
* Wear and tear of the stringThe string will get worn out, but it will hold until a beginner develops the skill to make big swings. Beyond that level it will hold for about 2 months, if you train about on hour per day.
* Tying both ends of the strings Lets prepare the string for Koma-spinning.
Normally a knot likeA is used.
(*)For small children a knot like B should be considered, as it's easier to hold.
* Special terms for the parts of a Koma
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A: Shinbo (center pole, axle) The part that lets the Koma turn left or right. When you can take the Koma in your hand, you can feel if the axle is loose, but when buying one in a package from a shop you cannot check right away. But once you bought it, check right away whether the axle is loose and not firmly connected to the body. B: Dou (body) Technical efficiency depends of factors like the angle (steepness) of the body undersides or the qualities of the body material. If the material is smooth and more slippery, there is less friction when there is contact with the string, and therefore there is a better success rate for advanced techniques. A wooden Koma actually gets smoother when used a lot. C: Kokuin (carved seal) The Kokuin in the picture is called "Mitsuwa (3 rings)". In former time there where seals called "Hyotan (calabash)" or "Kome (rice)" etc. and each of them represented a certain type of material or shape, but nowadays one cannot find those anymore. D: Tetsuwa (iron ring) With an iron ring a higher rotation speed can be achieved. But on the other hand it also has become a very dangerous toy. E: Kobu (knot) Like the name says, it's just a knot. For using Beigoma there is a lot to be considered about the knot, but not for throwing a Koma |  |
