TemariKai Standard Divisions in Temari

Divisions and Markings - Standard Divisions
or - When is a division a marking, and when is a marking a division. Huh?

        Division and marking are two terms used in temari making that can sometimes be a bit confusing... but they needn't be. It's easy to interchange them in discussions or pattern notes, but it also helps to have a good idea of what's what. TalkTemari members found this a topic of discussion not too long ago and it spurred on some more research and digging, as well as clarifications and help from our Japanese translators and teachers.
        Applying a (usually) contrasting, defining thread to the wrapped mari to create guidelines is the basis of "marking" it - or, another way to describe it is the process of adding marking threads (jiwari). Marking threads applied in a specific designation creates a division. In essence, applying marking threads divides the mari - either into one of the three unique temari divisions, or into a some other arrangement of spaces.

        One may think that there could be a multitude of "divisions" but - in reality, there are only two! These basic divisions are either

Simple/Vertical (in any number, commonly abbreviated S#, where # can be any number that the size of the mari can accommodate),

Combination (commonly abbreviated C#, where the # represents the number of initial simple/vertical divisions the combination division begins from)

It's important to realize that it's been thought that, when seeing the abbreviation "C8" or "C10" or some other "C" division, that the "C" was short for "complex". While it almost seems to fit, according to the translated Japanese, the division names are "8 Combination" and "10 Combination" - the "combination" eventually having been truncated to "C", at least in English vernacular (you rarely see this used in Japan. In Japanese, the full #Combination description is used). When transition into English began, the "c" got tagged with "complex". When we step back and readjust to the translation from Japanese of "combination", a lot more things start to fit and make sense.

The Simple/Vertical division is the one that divides the mari simply, or vertically, into wedges from north to south (like an orange). An obi may be added around the equator but is not required.

A Combination division starts with a specific simple division (with or without an obi), and additional marking threads are combined onto it, to create another unique-by-definition (geometrically) division. For example - the most common are Combination 8 (starts with a simple 8, and then more symmetric lines are combined onto it), and Combination 10 starts with a simple 10, and has additional symmetric marking lines combined onto it). by definition in math and geometry, there is a C4, C6, C8, and C10 Combination division. The C8 and C10 are by far the most common; in a few Japanese references you may see use of a C4 (which by definition starts with a simple 4), or a C6 (which by definition starts with a simple 6).

       These basic, unique divisions are the ones accepted in Japan and temari history, in terms of definition, temari technique and execution - and also that meet geometry and math requirements. A division is an execution that divides the mari into symmetrical, geometric shapes using marking lines that go all away around the circumference of the ball; the smallest shapes created are all the same; these lines result in evenly spaced intersections (poles), each with more than 4 angles around them (generally the same number of angles created in the original simple division).

        In terms of what makes a division a division by nature and math, there is a C4 (Simple 4 with Obi), a C6, a C8 and a C10, and only these combinations. Executing these basic combination divisions as well as simple divisions are the skills that one is expected to learn as a temari crafter, which if you think about it makes learning Temari a whole lot easier (rather than having to wangle your way through many obscure markings). If a pattern requires something other than one of these defined divisions, the special additional or modified markings are carried as part of that pattern's directions. This is not to say that someone may indeed someday, discover another true, unique-by-definition (mathematical) division - but as yet, through five-hundred-plus years of temari history and practice (as well as math and geometry theory), a new one has yet to be uncovered. For a more rigorous presentation of the math involved in Temari, temari making and patterns, link to Debi's Temari Math pages.

       There are of course, many (many!) modifications of these divisions, that are accomplished by adding extra marking lines, or perhaps removing some marking lines. These modified markings however, still start with one of the basic divisions listed above, rather than their own, unique technique and are not geometrically unique by definition. You may see isolated, special "divisions" described in a particular pattern, but it really turns out that any one of these really starts with one of the unique basic divisions, which then has specific marking lines added or removed from the original division. The result could be considered to be an altered or modified division.

        When indicating such a modified division, it's a big help to others to indicate what standard division it begins with. For example, one might specify a "C8 modified to XXX", or a "C10 modified to YYY". Further, to be technically accurate, these modifications should be called something other than "division", if the term division is going to be reserved for the actual, unique divisions as defined above. So, perhaps adopting a method of saying perhaps, a "XXX Marking - (created from a __ Division)" is something to consider. This way, it will not be confusing to others and to newcomers to the craft about what constitutes a division (hat is a prescribed method to be learned in temari execution), versus any of an almost infinite number of isolated special markings that are used on particular, isolated designs.

       All this being said - mastering the standard divisions is indeed a major step in learning to make temari. It's not difficult, since there are only a handful we need to learn. Each has it's own "mathematical"/traditional method, and indeed in many cases there are "shortcuts" that will bring you to the desired division outcome (see the references to division instructions in the HowTo Section of TemariKai). Shortcuts are fine - as long as there is an understanding of what the outcome is, and why - recognizing the shapes and layout on the mari in the end, and seeing it as a standard division. When you understand the difference between a standard division versus what is a modified marking, analyzing patterns photos or illustrations so that you can "see" how to create the pattern, writing up pattern notes and directions, as well as creating your own patterns becomes much easier, and a lot more fun.

Thanks to Ai M, and Debi A for their help and input to this page.