The collaboration project between Sasebo E Channel and the local monthly magazine “Naradewa!” continues in 2024. In the January issue, we are featuring Sasebo Koma. 月刊ならでわ！×Eチャンの１月号では、佐世保独楽を特集しています。
Sasebo Koma or the Sasebo spinning top is a traditional folkcraft that originated during the late Edo period. The shape of the top is referred to as the “scallion shape,” which is a rarity in Japan. One theory suggests that, the Sasebo Koma may have originated in India while most of the other spinning tops in Japan are from both China or Korea. The special Sasebo tops have been popular here locally for about two hundred years and still attract many fans regardless of their nationalities. This month, we will be introducing two foreign residents who love playing with their Sasebo Komas.
佐世保独楽のらっきょう型って、全国的に稀なんですよね。一説によると、日本の独楽は概して中国系や韓国系であるのに対し、佐世保独楽はインド系なのだそうです。そんな海外をルーツに江戸時代後期から佐世保で親しまれたきた佐世保独楽は、今も国籍問わず多くの人を魅了しています。今回は佐世保独楽に魅了された２人の外国人を紹介します。
Mr. Barolli: his love for the top made him a coach. | 愛好家から監督へ ――バロリ先生
Mr. Barolli, a teacher at the University of Nagasaki, from Albania fell in love with the Sasebo Koma and decided to became a coach in the Sasebo top club at his university. He has only lived in Sasebo for 2 years but has already become a top expert. We can’t imagine how much he loves the Sasebo Koma!
アルバニア出身の県立大講師バロリ先生は、佐世保独楽の魅力に取りつかれ、大学の佐世保独楽サークルの監督をされています。佐世保に来てまだ２年とか。それで監督とはハマり具合がすごいですね！
He says there is a toy similar to the Sasebo Koma in his home country, Albania that he used to play with. “We are able to communicate with local people through the top even though we don’t understand each other’s language,” remarked Mr. Barolli. Thanks to the Sasebo Koma, that he loves, he wants to live in Sasebo forever.
母国のアルバニアにも佐世保独楽と同じ形をした玩具があるそうです。その玩具で幼い頃よく遊んでいたというバロリ先生は、「言葉が通じなくても独楽を通じて地元の人と交流できる」と語ります。今では佐世保を離れたくない!と思う程この町が好きになったそうです。
Max who created his own team for a tournament |チームを作って大会へ ――マックスくん
Max from California started playing with the Sasebo Koma last year after participating in a Sasebo Koma painting workshop at Sasebo Koma Honpo. Since then, he has been practicing spinning the top both with his friends and by himself. Now he’s gotten good at it so much that even the local experts admit his skill.
カリフォルニア州出身のマックスくんは、昨年、佐世保こま本舗での絵付け体験をきっかけに佐世保独楽で遊ぶように。家でもコツコツと練習を重ね、めきめきと腕を上げていると佐世保っ子の間でも話題です。
On Saturday, December 16, he led his own team, called the Max Tops, and competed in the Sasebo Koma Tournament at Shimanose Park. They moved on to the semi final and put up a good fight! Max who has made quite a few Japanese friends says,”Even if you don’t understand the language, you can make friends with anyone through the Sasebo top!”
12月16日（土）に島瀬公園で行われた佐世保独楽大会では、マックス・トップスという自らチームを率いて戦いました。準決勝に進出し好戦していましたよ。「言葉がわからなくても、佐世保独楽を通じて誰とも友達になれる！」と語るマックスくん。すでに日本人の友人もできたそうです。
Top-spinning event at Sasebo Dawn Market| NEO朝市で早朝こま回し！
If you become interested in the Sasebo Komas, there is an event in January. In the very early morning of Saturday, January 20th, Sasebo Dawn Market will be held at the Sasebo Asaichi Square. Students from the University of Nagasaki will teach you how to play with the tops there.
ことしは佐世保独楽で遊びたいな♪と思った皆さん、1月に佐世保独楽回しが出来るイベントがありますよ。１月20日（土）の早朝に開催のNEO朝市で、佐世保独楽サークルの大学生が独楽回しを教えてくれます。
Since the Koma or a spinning top spins for a very long, it is recognized as a good luck charm especially for healthy longevity and a thriving business. Let’s enjoy spinning a top this year.
独楽は「息長く回る（健康長寿）」、「回りがいい（金運上昇）」と言われる縁起物。ぜひ遊んでみてください。
Sasebo Dawn Market
73 Yorozu-cho, Sasebo MAP
4 AM – 8 AM
NEO朝市
佐世保市万津町73
地図
1月20日（土） AM 4：00〜8：00
