1.
top spinning; spinning a top
The game of spinning tops, traditionally played by children at New Year. Also a performing art in which skilled players make tops balance on swords, strings, or fans.
Often written こま回し or コマ回し. A top is wound with a string and thrown so that the string sets it spinning.
Cultural note
Top spinning is one of the classic New Year games (お正月の遊び), together with 凧揚げ (kite flying), 羽根突き (battledore and shuttlecock) and 福笑い. A top that spins steadily was a symbol of a smooth-running year.