Good old familiar wooden spinning tops. There is an artisan who is meeting the challenge of creating traditional Hakata koma spinning tops head on. The art of the Hakata koma, which has over 450 years of history behind it, is being preserved by this woman. Let’s take a look at how this manufacturer, performer, and folklorist makes it all happen.
Interviewed by Takafumi Suzuki
Translated by Claire Tanaka
The Hakata Koma was the first top in Japan to use a metal shaft
Shuraku Chikushi, absorbed in her performance
How long has the Hakata koma been around?
The Hakata koma came from China over 1300 years ago. The current form, with a wooden body and a metal central pin was created in the 17th century. The Hakata koma is a registered National Intangible Cultural Asset. I’m the “soke” so that means I have to do make the tops, preserve the history, and perform as well.
Those are three totally different things. It must be difficult for you.
I’m a female top master. They say the last time there was a female Hakata koma top master was 160 years ago, so that’s pretty rare. It wasn’t an easy road to get where I am today. If you study, you can somehow learn the performance and historical aspects, but it’s not so easy to learn how to make the tops.
Why is it so hard to make the tops?
My father was a top master. When he passed on, I decided to continue the tradition in his place. So I was never actually taught by my father. I learned how to make tops by watching his apprentices. When my father was still alive, he wouldn’t let me make tops for stage use. To make a top, you first have to make a chisel. I mean, you have to go to the blacksmith and make a chisel at their shop. It took a long time for me to get that right.
But, why do performers make their own tops?
It’s because everyone’s hands are a different shape and size. It’s only natural that a performer would want just the right top so they can do their best performance. You can’t get that from one made by someone else. I’m the only one, not just in Japan, but in the whole world, who can do the acrobatics as well as make stage-worthy Hakata koma and the accompanying props. I spend about 100 days out of the year making them, and 150 days per year performing.
I’m sure the entire process is very difficult, but what is the toughest part about making the tops?
The most basic part about making them is choosing the wood. If the wood is wrong, the grain and the density is wrong. Tops aren’t made from expensive wood, they’re made from scrub. Oak, cherry, camellia, and other trees like that are what I use. If you want to make a nice, big, good-looking top, you use light wood that isn’t so dense. If you want one that will spin well, you need to use denser wood. I choose the wood while it’s still standing, so I have to go into the mountains to get it. But of course, you can’t just go into the woods alone. It’s too dangerous for someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. You’d get lost right away.
So, do you get someone who knows the mountains well to show you the way?
You definitely need the help of a mountain man. But, the man who had always helped the top makers up until my father’s generation, when I told him I was taking over the tradition, at first, he said “This is the end of the Hakata koma tradition. This is no work for a woman.” When I heard that, I felt really let-down, but when I think about it now, I don’t think he meant to be cruel when he said that. You have to go into the woods early in the morning and walk around for about twelve hours, so from a physical standpoint, it’s very difficult for a woman to do. But I didn’t give up and now I go up to the mountains quite often. At first, he wouldn’t even talk to me, but now the mountain man has me over to his family’s house to spend the night, we drink together, and I’ve gotten closer to his whole family. Over time, he’s taught me a lot about the mountains as well.
Wood chosen with the help of a mountain man
If the wood is wrong, the grain and the density is wrong
Wow! You have to go through all that just to go into the mountains! Is mountain-walking really that tough?
It would be totally impossible for an average person. The amazing thing about the mountain men, is they can look at the mountain and remember the mountain trails. If it’s just me, I get this “I feel like I’ve seen this before but I can’t be sure” feeling and I get lost really fast. That’s why it was important for me to get the mountain man to understand me, so I could get his cooperation in guiding me through the mountains. Now, I can just casually say “I’m looking for this kind of tree, do you know a place?” and he’ll help me. It’s taken twelve years to build up this kind of relationship. Now, it costs over a million yen to cut down one tree, so the information I get from the mountain man is really important.
So in a way, making tops is a life-threatening activity, isn’t it!
I’ve raised a daughter and a son, and I’d say the job of making a top is just like raising a child. Look for the right tree, carve the top, make it into a performance; I have really begun to think it’s the same as raising a child. You’ve got to take life from a tree to make a top, so I want to somehow breathe some life into my creations. So even though you can buy a small top for 500 or 1000 yen, I don’t like to skimp on effort.
Spinning a huge top with ease
Shuraku fixes her eyes on the spinning top
Those tops, which you’ve breathed life into, you must be sensitive about the audience reaction when you perform with them on stage.
Of course when I perform in Japan, but also when I spin my tops overseas, everyone is really surprised. Right after I succeeded my father’s position, I spent a year spinning tops at the Japan Pavillion at Epcot in Disney World.
At Disney World! What a unique experience. Did you have any revelations about your work while you were overseas?
Stubbornly protecting the old traditions is in itself something new. There is no need to arrange the performance in a modern way. By visiting the old, you can know the new. Alternatively, my son’s generation, they seem like they are able to just gobble up new things and make new culture from that. My son is a taiko drummer, but he usually listens to jazz.
Making toy tops
Sanding the wood while it spins on a lathe
So you must be concerned about the younger generation, when it comes to preserving traditions?
The media likes to show the NEET generation in a bad light, but I don’t think they’re so bad. They’ll come around when the baby boomer generation is out of the picture and things will start to get better. Personally, I plan to retire when I’ve still got 30 or 40 percent of my energy left so that I can spend lots of time training my successor. Oh, now that I think of it, you know, last year I went with my son who plays the taiko and performed at the White House. I never thought I’d be spinning tops in front of President Bush.
So, do you plan on taking it easy after you retire?
In my case, my son the taiko player is going to take over for me, so I’m thinking I’ll stay involved, but just retire from the business side of things. It’ll be more like volunteer work. I’ll perform at events when I feel like it, on my own time.
Hakata Spinning Top
Musashi3-6-10, Chikushino-city, Fukuoka-prefecture
Shuraku Chikushi
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1953. Hakata koma Master.
32 Comments
- Share and Enjoy:
PingMag MAKE is the sister site to PingMag. We use an interview format to put the spotlight on a wide range of people active in rural areas. We document the voices of these unknown heroes and broadcast them to the world. It’s the Japan-based magazine about people and making things, coming out once a week. We’re passing on the passion, ideas, skills, and life stories of people who are building today and exploring tomorrow: craftsmen, engineers, entrepreneurs, and inventors. Stay tuned!
Important Notice
31 Dec 2008
Looking at Tradition with a Scientific Heart: Ootsuji Asahi-do
16 Dec 2008
The Adventures of the Japan-made T-shirts: Kume
9 Dec 2008
Tying the Knot: Kikuyu
2 Dec 2008
The Stone Merchant: Sato Teiseki ten
25 Nov 2008
Preserving the Essence of the Kiri Tansu: Ogura Tansu Ten
18 Nov 2008
Natural Materials and Design: Tsuruya Shoten
11 Nov 2008
Learning From a Young Master: Ceramic Artist Ryota Aoki
4 Nov 2008
Tiny Works of Shogi Art: Tendo Satoh Takashi Shouten
28 Oct 2008
Tada Mokko: A Woodcrafter’s Tale
21 Oct 2008
[…] an umbrella maker (pictures above), who spent 30 years perfecting his art. Other posts include traditional toy artists, tool design, and even a company that produces prosthetics! NYC’s Noguchi Museum. Also […]
Posted by: New blogs to watch: PingMAKE and DesignNotes « MadSilence on January 14th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
yueu
Posted by: etyer on May 21st, 2008 at 4:30 am
This is really neat. I’m one of only a few female Spin-Top players here in the U.S. I hope to improve my lathe skills and some day make beautiful tops as well.
Posted by: Cowgirlsam on March 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am
[…] that tradition, performs, and makes the tops she uses during her performances in this fascinating English-language interview. The interview tells you as much about Japan and the Japanese as I could—including her intention […]
Posted by: Nengajo 2011 « AMPONTAN on January 16th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Nice website. Awesome job.
Posted by: podcast marketing scott paton on May 29th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
~ If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. ~
Posted by: Demand Lead Generation on June 12th, 2011 at 3:32 am
people create distinctions out of their own minds
Posted by: future of computing on June 14th, 2011 at 8:22 am
I want to see the many development of this site.
Posted by: healthcare on June 14th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Great blog with interesting content. I have bookmarked and will return. Have a Great Day!
Posted by: the diet | Isabel Los Rios on June 19th, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Wow - what an informative and organized and top notch web site you have here. Thanks
Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 11th, 2011 at 1:58 am
what is unified communications,unified communications definition,
Posted by: InBound Marketing & Sales Consultants on July 15th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Your comments about the quake and resultant side show was on target. Thank you.
Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 16th, 2011 at 2:29 am
Actually it has been verified time and time again that over 75% of women of all ages prefer polygamy
Posted by: Affiliate Marketing Reviews on July 18th, 2011 at 12:40 am
This is the best soccer website ever!!!!!!!!!! And u can shop from the ads they r all right!!!!!
Posted by: Soccer on July 18th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
This is an Online Marketing Review
Posted by: dental health ins on August 10th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
I have never seen it from that perspective. Luckily there are a couple of techniques to do things. I always like to undertsand a new means of looking at it. Thanks for the information.
Posted by: Examples Viral Marketing on August 17th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
I enjoyed studying this post. I am completely satisfied to search out this put up as a result of I’m interested within the topic.
Posted by: Health Natural Products Database on September 9th, 2011 at 10:32 am
Text Message or Mobile Marketing is the future
Posted by: SMS Text Message Marketing on October 27th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
Χριστουγεννιατικα στολιδια,Χριστουγεννιατικα δεντρα,ειδη,xristougenniatika
Posted by: Χριστουγεννιατικα στολιδια on November 1st, 2011 at 6:41 pm
You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
Posted by: plumbing lancaster on November 10th, 2011 at 2:16 am
This is good Internet marketing and public relations.
Posted by: christian louboutin on November 10th, 2011 at 10:43 am
Your business sounds interesting. Why is it important to the industry?
Posted by: See Clear Without Glasses on November 11th, 2011 at 8:16 am
Good Article …. Excellent !!!! visit automotive :-bd
Posted by: Information Automotive on November 12th, 2011 at 12:57 am
Get drunk. Get laid. Go to Pattaya Thailand
Posted by: Pattaya Beach Hotel on November 24th, 2011 at 6:26 pm
Anuncie no Katavendo e usufrua DE TODOS OS BENEFICIOS OFERECIDOS, NO KATAVENDO voce encontra: anuncio, anuncios, anuncie, anunciar, classificado, classificados, classificados gratis, anuncios classificados gratis, imovel, imoveis, autos, automoveis, automovel, veiculos, carros, motos, celulares, video-games, computadores, dominios, cameras digitais, livros, quadinhos, revistas, cds, cd, dvds, DVD, hd, informatica, eletro-eletronicos, eletronicos, audio, video, decoracao, joias, relogios, esportes, lazer, negocios, filmadoras, videos, selos, moedas, ferramentas, antiguidades, raridades, oportunidades, promocoes, empregos, curriculos, servicos, artigos esportivos, empresas, produtos, vestuario, revistas, Sao Paulo, sp, Rio de Janeiro, rj, parana, pr, classificados, katavendo, kata-vendo, catavendo, cata-vendo, an�ncios, gr�tis, gratuitos, gratuitamente, empregos, oportunidades, comprar, vender.
Posted by: Kata-Vendo - Bons ventos para seus neg�cios on November 27th, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Anuncie no Katavendo e usufrua DE TODOS OS BENEFICIOS OFERECIDOS, NO KATAVENDO voce encontra: anuncio, anuncios, anuncie, anunciar, classificado, classificados, classificados gratis, anuncios classificados gratis, imovel, imoveis, autos, automoveis, automovel, veiculos, carros, motos, celulares, video-games, computadores, dominios, cameras digitais, livros, quadinhos, revistas, cds, cd, dvds, DVD, hd, informatica, eletro-eletronicos, eletronicos, audio, video, decoracao, joias, relogios, esportes, lazer, negocios, filmadoras, videos, selos, moedas, ferramentas, antiguidades, raridades, oportunidades, promocoes, empregos, curriculos, servicos, artigos esportivos, empresas, produtos, vestuario, revistas, Sao Paulo, sp, Rio de Janeiro, rj, parana, pr, classificados, katavendo, kata-vendo, catavendo, cata-vendo, an�ncios, gr�tis, gratuitos, gratuitamente, empregos, oportunidades, comprar, vender.
Posted by: An�ncios Gr�tis, An�ncios Classificados - Kata-Vendo on November 30th, 2011 at 2:42 am
wat a nice post
Posted by: Movies and TV Series on November 30th, 2011 at 5:34 am
สารสกัดจากธรรมชาติต่างๆ ที่นำมาเป็นอาหารเสริมเช่น กลูต้าไธโอน,แอลคาร์นิทีน, น้ำมันรำข้าว, กรดอะมิโนต่างๆ และอื่นๆ นั้นมีประโยชน์ต่อร่างกายของเราอย่างไรบ้าง
Posted by: แอลคาร์นิทีน on December 6th, 2011 at 11:54 pm
Your business sounds very interesting. It is great to have businesses that can contribute to so much to our society these days.
Posted by: Removing Tattoos Naturally on December 12th, 2011 at 5:32 am
Hay very nice blog , keep it up buddy
Posted by: Jammer on January 3rd, 2012 at 2:45 am
Find here the best, the Top Recreation and Home Business: the best services, free and paid programs, best recreation websites, best shopping and marketplace, traffic and marketing free websites.
Posted by: Recreation and Business on January 12th, 2012 at 6:58 am
An Ihrem wichtigsten und wunderschönsten Tag begleiten wir Sie als Videografen Team und produzieren ein hochwertiges Hochzeitsvideo
Posted by: Carsten on January 18th, 2012 at 12:31 pm