At first glance, it’s an unassuming toy—plain in appearance and simple in design. Just pull the string and release it from your palm. Yet in Hong Kong today, children are utterly captivated by the humble koma, the traditional Japanese spinning top. Classrooms and playgrounds are now filled with the colorful whirl of wooden tops, as children compete to see whose top spins the longest.
What is it about this single motion—spinning—that draws such deep engagement?
Looking closer, one discovers a hidden depth in what seems like a simple structure: a profound connection between sensory awareness and focused concentration.
Mastering the Spin with Fingertips and Intuition
The koma is one of Japan’s cherished traditional toys, enjoyed since the Edo period. With a conical or flat-shaped body and a central spindle, it is set into motion by twisting the hand or using a string.
There are no tricks or mechanisms—just spin. And it is precisely this simplicity that stirs a child’s imagination and creativity.
“I couldn’t get it to spin at all at first,” says Yoon, a fourth-grade student. “But I changed the way I wound the string, adjusted my hand angle… before I knew it, I was practicing every day.” Through trial and error, he found a sense of immersion that no mobile game could match.
Within this seemingly modest movement lies a rich blend of focus, delicate finger control, and a keen sense of timing. This is why children become so deeply absorbed—it offers a kind of mindful engagement rarely found in modern digital play.
Spinning Tops in the Classroom: A Revival of Traditional Play
The growing popularity of the koma in Hong Kong can be traced back to an initiative launched at a local elementary school called the “Traditional Toys Project.” Aimed at rediscovering the value of hands-on, physical play in an increasingly digital world, the program introduced classic Japanese toys such as kendama (cup-and-ball), taketombo (bamboo copter), and ohajiki (glass game pieces)—with the koma taking center stage.
At first, many children expressed frustration: “It won’t spin!” “It’s too hard!” But with teachers demonstrating tips and students cheering each other on, interest soon ignited. Today, children invent their own challenges—who can spin the longest, or master the most spinning tricks—bringing creativity and competition into the classroom.
According to teachers, this kind of play addresses some of the common challenges seen in today’s youth: short attention spans and low competitive spirit. The koma naturally cultivates patience and a deep sense of achievement, offering a refreshing contrast to the instant gratification of screen-based games.
Colorful, Captivating — Spinning Tops as Moving Art
Modern koma are often painted in vibrant colors and intricate designs. When spun, the colors blend into mesmerizing patterns, turning the toy into a form of “moving art.” This visual appeal is especially popular among young children and girls.
“It’s beautiful—these patterns that appear only while it’s spinning,” says Rin, a second-grade student. “When it stops, the design changes. It’s so mysterious, I want to spin it again and again.” This sensory experience offers a visual reward that differs from digital games or video content, giving children a sense of wonder and satisfaction.
What’s more, as children observe how speed and angle affect the visual effects, their curiosity often extends into physics and geometry. Through play, they naturally find themselves at the gateway to science, discovering principles of motion, symmetry, and perception—without ever opening a textbook.
A Shared Experience Across Generations
In Japan, the koma has long been a staple of New Year’s festivities, especially during the Showa era, when it was cherished by children as a seasonal favorite. Now, in Hong Kong, this traditional toy is creating new bonds between generations. Parents and grandparents, seeing their children spin tops, often say, “I used to play with those too,” and join in the fun.
These traditional games serve as a rare and valuable bridge across generations. Unlike smartphones and tablets, which older family members may find unfamiliar, a spinning top is simple, tactile, and universally accessible. In this way, old-fashioned toys like the koma are quietly finding their place in family life—offering opportunities for shared learning and emotional connection.
In Conclusion – The Power of a Simple Spin
To spin—just that simple act can be utterly captivating. And within it lies something deeper: the sensation in the hands, the motion traced by the eyes, the strategies formed in the mind. In this movement, we find the essence of learning.
The koma teaches us that true play is not about passive interaction, but about actively creating motion and observing the outcome. It teaches resilience—how failure invites repeated effort, and how that journey itself becomes meaningful.
This is the charm of analog play, now winning the hearts of a new generation. As long as the humble spinning top continues to turn, it will quietly nurture moments of rich growth, creativity, and connection.