Hama Koma
One-of-a-kind wooden spinning tops from Nagaham, Shiga, Japan
Iroiro Hama Koma are hand-turned wooden spinning tops created in Nagahama, a lakeside town in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Each top is turned one by one on a lathe and then hand-painted in vivid rings of color, so no two are ever exactly the same.
The craftsmen at Katayama Woodworks use wood such as cherry and zelkova that has been naturally air-dried for years, allowing the grain to settle and reveal its beauty. The result is a smooth, satisfying spin and a playful object that doubles as a small work of art, whether you keep it on a desk, a shelf, or in the palm of your hand.
See how Hama Koma is made
Making Iroiro Hama Koma at Katayama Woodworks in Nagahama, Shiga.
Video courtesy of Shiga Prefecture – Department of Commerce, Tourism and Labor, Innovation Promotion Division, Monodzukuri & Local Industry Promotion Section. Used with permission.
Video courtesy of Shiga Prefecture – Department of Commerce, Tourism and Labor, Innovation Promotion Division, Monodzukuri & Local Industry Promotion Section.
What is
Iroiro Hama Koma?
In Japanese, iroiro means “many colors” or “various,” and koma means “spinning top.” Iroiro Hama Koma brings those words to life through layered rings of bright color that appear as a single continuous band when the top is spinning.
These tops were born in Nagahama, a historic town on the shores of Lake Biwa. The workshop developed its own style of tops using locally sourced wood, then finished them with carefully balanced weight so they spin smoothly even for small hands. Each piece is made and painted one by one, so every top has its own personality, spin, and pattern.
About
Katayama Woodworks
Katayama Woodworks is a family-run woodturning studio in Nagahama, Shiga. For generations, the family has handed down skills for turning everyday objects on the lathe—from bowls and trays to toys—while also exploring new designs for contemporary life.
The wood used for Hama Koma is mainly cherry from the foothills of Mount Ibuki and other local hardwoods, air-dried for four to five years to bring out a stable, beautiful grain. The tops are turned by the craftsman, then hand-painted by his wife, whose steady brushwork creates the colorful concentric circles that are the hallmark of Iroiro Hama Koma.
Good-luck Charm
Auspicious meanings of spinning tops
In Japan, spinning tops have long been loved not only as toys but also as good-luck charms. Hama Koma is often given as a celebratory gift because of the meanings associated with its form and motion:
- A smoothly spinning top suggests that money, ideas, and daily life will “keep turning” and flow smoothly.
- The slender center shaft is sometimes compared to shinbō (“patience”), with the saying “the core of patience is as precious as gold.”
- The straight axis that runs through the center symbolizes having a clear core, staying true to your values, and “seeing things through.”
- Because the spinning pattern forms an unbroken ring, it’s also associated with relationships and projects going around smoothly and harmoniously.
For these reasons, tops are sometimes gifted to celebrate a birth or a child’s growth, with the wish that “life will spin well” and the child will one day stand firmly on their own. They are also given as opening gifts for new shops, in the hope that customers will keep “spinning in” and business will thrive.
Sizes &
How to Enjoy
Hama Koma comes in three sizes. All three are balanced to spin beautifully—the size mainly changes how it feels in the hand and how dramatic the spin looks.
- 50 mm (Small): A compact size that fits easily in a child’s hand.
- 70 mm (Medium): Easy for both kids and adults to spin—a nice balance of size and presence.
- 90 mm (Large): A bold display size with a wide sweep when it spins; great as an interior accent on a shelf or entryway.
Try spinning several tops together and watching how each one moves differently. After playtime, they make cheerful decorations for a living room, study, or entrance.
Colors, shapes & ordering notes
Every Iroiro Hama Koma is one of a kind. The wood grain, color combination, and even the handle shape vary from piece to piece, so the top you receive will not be identical to the photos. That uniqueness is part of the charm.
When you place an order online, our team in Los Angeles will carefully select a top for you from our current stock. If you have a preference for a general color tone—for example, “more greens and blues” or “warmer colors”—please feel free to email us at info@waza-nyc.com with your order number after checkout. We can’t guarantee an exact match, but we will do our best to choose a piece that fits your request.
We hope that spinning these colorful tops becomes a small daily ritual—a moment to pause, play, and enjoy the movement of a handcrafted object made with care.
