木制传统陀螺 Gasing Kayu

“Gasing”?

What the hell is this?

Actually! It is the spinning top we are familiar with!

You throw it, I throw it, and it spins and spins!

In my childhood years,

The spinning “Gasing” (top) accompanied many children through their happy childhood!

The spinning top can be said to be a worldwide children’s toy.

It has been recorded in many different ethnic groups or countries.

It is a spinning toy,

The rotation process produces many gameplays, each with different fun.

In China, it is said that a toy similar to a top appeared in the Song Dynasty, called “Qianqian”.

It was a game played by the palace maids at that time!

It is made of a needle-shaped object usually about three centimeters.

Put it into an ivory disc,

Then twist the needle by hand,

Let the needle point stand on the ground and rotate.

The name “gyro” first appeared in the Ming Dynasty.

At this time, it is no longer just a toy for the palace ladies,

It has become a popular toy for ordinary people.

Its raw material is wood,

The way to play is to wrap the rope around it first,

First throw it forward, then pull it back,

The top will spin on the ground (just like it does now).

When the spinning top slows down, whip it with a rope or a whip while stopping in the same direction (similar to the so-called “whipping top” in modern times).

Early tops were mostly made of hard wood.

Made from the trunks of trees such as guava and longan,

How to make a spinning top from a tree trunk yourself has become a must-have craft for many boys back then!

In modern times, wooden tops have been slowly replaced by plastic ones.

The power of rotation also occurs in different ways such as spring-driven or electric.

These improved tops may be available in more patterns and colors.

But no matter how the top evolves,

The pleasure of whittling wooden tops with your own hands

The thrill of nailing each other with a top can never be replaced!

spinning top

1. The anti-slip line on the top is the starting point for rope winding, and the concave stripes can also prevent the rope from falling off.

2. Tie two single knots at the starting point of one end of the rope

3. Place one end of the rope on the anti-slip wire, hold the beginning of the rope with your fingers, and then place the rope upward on the tip of the top.

4. Wrap the rope in a circle starting from the tip of the top. The rope must be tightened when making the circle.

5. Wrap the rope to the position of the anti-skid line before stopping.

6. Hold the top with one hand and prepare to pull the rope with the other hand

7. Put the knotted part of the other end of the rope between your fingers and tighten it.

8. After the rope is wrapped, it’s time to whip the top!

The spinning top method can basically be divided into two categories: horizontal method and vertical method.

(1) Horizontal method

There is a formula for this! A very simple three-word mantra: “hang, fall, and pull.”

“hang”

Just hold the top in the air with your hands, do a lunge, and shake your hands back and forth in preparation.

“fall”

With the back of your hand facing down, bend over and throw the top forward vigorously from behind.

“pull”

Pull the tail of the rope around your hand hard and pull it back quickly, and the top will spin horizontally along the ground.

(2) Vertical method (Guan Gong Xicai):

This is a combative way! Hold the top high above your head and whip it from top to bottom. Using the gravity acceleration of the downward throw, the top has strong attack power and can even break other people’s tops, so it can be said to be a “killer” move. But whether you are nailing someone or being nailed by someone, there is an indescribable sense of excitement!

How to play

In the past, when a group of children got together to play spinning tops, there were many ways to play, but the more common ways to play were roughly as follows:

1. The simplest and most commonly played one is the long-lasting game. After everyone throws the top together, they will compete to see whose top can spin the longest. Who will be the Top King!

2. Draw a circle on the ground, throw two tops or even several tops together and spin them in the circle, let them collide with each other, and see whose top is knocked down first, you lose!

3. Divide the participants into two groups and use guessing to decide which group will start first. Then each group will take turns pulling the top to the ground. If the top is not played well, it will not spin but will just roll around on the ground. , and these tops lying on the ground can only be struck by the opponent. When the opponent holds the top high and aims it at the dead top on the ground, some of the tops will have a corner cut off, and some may even be cracked open. If you can crack the opponent’s top from the center, you can get the top screw. For boys back then, it was a very precious trophy!

Important reminder:

The top has sharp iron nails,

Make sure an adult is with you when playing.

Gyro gameplay video

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157089794743580&id=682483579

Since nostalgic toys belong to the 1970s and 1980s,

There will inevitably be small flaws and roughness in the handwork.

Those who demand perfection are advised not to buy it!