Beigoma, traditional Japanese spinning top toys, were once one of the popular toys among kids with which they competed to see whose spinning top knocks the others' ones out of the playing area or whose one can continue to spin the longest. It was a pretty common sight in Japan to see kids playing with the moldable toys on streets till several decades ago, but cutting-edge toys have been taking their place of them and nowadays these classical toys can be are hardly seen.

Nissan Foundry Inc. is a small foundry located in Kawaguchi City, my hometown, which was once known as the center of the casting industry. Now they are the only beigoma manufacturer in Japan. They run a booth to promote their products every year at Tatara Festival, the largest annual festival in the city, and transmit show the traditional toys to people. This year as well, adults reminisced about their old days and kids enjoyed the old but new experience there.

Sometimes the simplest toys are the best ones. I remember when I was a kid, I could spend hours playing with tops, marbles and yo-yos with my friends.