Beigoma Terminology

Beigoma has its own vocabulary. Keeping the Japanese terms is useful because many tutorials, videos, and rule descriptions use them directly.

Winding Terms:¶

Onna-maki / 女巻き¶

A winding style using a string with two knots placed close together, usually about 0.5-1 cm apart. This is a common beginner-friendly winding style.

Otoko-maki / 男巻き¶

A winding style using two knots placed much farther apart, roughly 5 cm. It is another traditional winding option.

Types Of Beigoma:¶

Normal Beigoma / ノーマルベーゴマ¶

An unmodified Beigoma with a rounded tip. Because it has not been tuned, the luck factor is higher. Normal tops are useful when beginners and advanced players play together.

Modified Beigoma / 加工ベーゴマ¶

A Beigoma whose tip or body has been adjusted. Depending on the modification, it can be tuned for long spin, stronger attacks, or a specific rule set.

Decoration Beigoma / デコレーションベーゴマ¶

A Beigoma decorated on the visible surface. Decoration is mainly aesthetic, but it is also a way for players to identify and personalize their tops.

Riki-goma / リキゴマ¶

A top tuned or selected for long spin. It is useful in Riki matches.

Hajiki-goma / 弾きゴマ¶

A top that tends to move around and knock into opponents. It is useful in Hajiki matches.

Match Terms:¶

Chitchi-no-chi / チッチノチ¶

A call used when players throw their Beigoma into the floor.

Yuka / 床¶

The playing floor. In Beigoma this is usually a cloth surface stretched over a bucket, barrel, or frame.

Yuka-hazushi / 床外し¶

Missing the floor when throwing. Depending on the rule set, this can mean losing the round or repeating the throw.

Riki match / リキ勝負¶

A rule where the top that keeps spinning on the floor longest wins.

Hajiki match / 弾き勝負¶

A rule where a player wins by knocking the opponent's Beigoma out of the floor.

Three-second rule / 3秒ルール¶

In a Riki match, a player wins if their top keeps spinning at least three seconds longer than the opponent's. If the difference is shorter, the round is repeated.

Pakkan / パッカン¶

A clash where all Beigoma are knocked out of the floor at the same time.

One-touch rule / ワンタッチあり¶

A Riki-match rule where the round is repeated if the tops never touch each other after being thrown.

Okama / オカマ¶

A Beigoma flips over on the floor. Depending on local rules, this can count as an immediate loss.

Play Culture:¶

Honko / ホンコ¶

A serious wager match. Traditionally, the winner receives the opponent's Beigoma.

Omake Honko / おまけホンコ¶

A beginner-friendly version of Honko. A beginner can win a Beigoma, but does not lose their own top if they lose the match.

Kado-zuke / 角づけ¶

Throwing the Beigoma into the floor at an angle.

Nissanchuzosho / 日三鋳造所¶

A manufacturer and seller of Beigoma.

Source:¶

Terminology based on Tokyo Beigoma's specialist terminology article.