Beigoma Modification Basics

Why Modify A Beigoma?:¶

A normal Beigoma is playable immediately, but advanced players often modify tops to change how they behave. Tokyo Beigoma describes different goals: longer spin, resistance against being knocked out, faster movement, or a more polished finish.

For workshops, modification can be treated as material research. Players make a change, test the result, observe what happened, and adjust again.

Common Goals:¶

Long spin / Riki-goma¶

A Riki-goma is tuned to spin for a long time. The work focuses on finding and refining the spinning point and making the rotation stable.

Attack / Hajiki behavior¶

A Hajiki-style top is useful for knocking other tops out. It may move more actively across the floor instead of staying calm in the center.

Stability¶

Removing rough casting marks and making the contact point cleaner can make the top behave more predictably.

Polishing and finish¶

Some modification is aesthetic or tactile. Tokyo Beigoma has examples of mirror-style polishing using files, sandpaper, and metal polish.

Typical Tools:¶

• metal files
• fine files
• sandpaper in several grits
• cloth for cleaning
• optional metal polish
• clamp, vise, or other safe holding method for advanced work

Safety:¶

Metal filing creates sharp edges and dust. Use eye protection where appropriate, keep tools controlled, and clean the workspace before returning to play.

Do not run metal-file modification with a group unless the facilitator can supervise tool use properly.

Workshop Use:¶

A useful workshop loop is:

1. Spin an unmodified top and observe it.
2. Make one small change.
3. Spin again.
4. Compare the result.
5. Decide whether to continue, stop, or try a different goal.

This keeps the activity investigative rather than purely competitive.

Source:¶

Based on Tokyo Beigoma's processing articles and videos about Riki-goma and polished Beigoma.