Hama Spinning Top / Blue / L

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

The Hama Spinning Top is made from cherry trees on Mt. Ibuki, and each one is carefully and painstakingly crafted by a skilled craftsman. Please experience the "pleasure of spinning and its beautiful look" that only a traditional handicraft with a long history can create.
*Each piece is handmade, so the color may differ slightly from the picture. Please understand it beforehand.

"A Spinning Lucky Charm"
The shape of the Hama Spinning Top shows that there is a straight core running through the center of the spinning top. This is associated with a positive feeling, such as "to make sense out of something" or "to carry out one's wishes". It is also have the undermeaning that the "money spinning" "head spinning" and "work spinning smoothly" is derived from the spinning of the spinning top. This craft is often sent as a birthday gift with the wish that one's life will turn out well. The spinning of the spinning top and the unbroken pattern of the spinning top are considered to be auspicious because they form a circle, which means that things will go smoothly and successfully.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1200 years ago / 800AD / Heian period in Japan

The Japanese spinning top, known as "koma," has a rich history dating back over a millennium. Originating in the Heian period (794-1185), it was initially a children's toy but evolved into a popular traditional game. Skilled craftsmen began producing finely crafted tops during the Edo period (1603-1868). The game, "koma-mawashi," involves spinning tops within a defined area, showcasing precision and balance. Tops became symbolic of festivals and rituals, embodying cultural significance. Today, the art of spinning tops endures as both a traditional pastime and a celebrated craft, reflecting Japan's cultural heritage and the enduring appeal of this timeless toy.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Katayama Wood Works / Kiichi Katayama
Kiichi Katayama is a second-generation of Katayama Wood Works, established in 1950. He and his wife has been in business for over 70 years.
Husband cuts and wife paints. They work in tandem to produce one-of-a-kind spinning tops.
Please enjoy the rare value of "only one in the world"!

 

Craftsman Passion

"Products that give comfort to the soul."
We use wood given to us by nature to make the most of its beauty, and we cut the wood with reverence for the tree that has become a large tree. The more the craft is used, the more the warmth and flavor of the wood becomes apparent, giving comfort to the human heart.
We will continue to challenge new wheel-thrown crafts while preserving traditional techniques and the heart of the woodworker.

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width：9cm
Depth：9cm
Height：10cm
Weight：70g

Material & Caution

Materials

Wood

 

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Made to Order

Basically, this product is made to order, so it takes about a month from order to delivery. Please note that there may be unavoidable delays in delivery due to material shortages or delays in the production process.