Temari
balls are an folk art form that originated in China and were introduced
to Japan five or six hundred years ago. The balls were originally made
by mothers and grandmothers for the children to play with (they were
used in kickball and handball games similar to the hackeysack games
played around the
world today). Historically they were constructed from the remnants of
old kimonos. Pieces of silk fabric would be wadded up to form a ball,
then the wad wrapped with strips of fabric. The silk threads would have
been removed and saved and, used to first wind around the ball, then to
stitch the ball firmly together (it is said that the balls were wrapped
and stitched so tightly that they actually did bounce). As time moved
on traditional Temari balls became an art, with the functional
stitching more and more decorative and detailed, until the balls
displayed very intricate embroidery. The balls transcended from play
toys into art objects (although loving moms will still make them for
their children) with the introduction of
rubber to Japan. Temari balls became an art and craft of the Japanese
upper
class and aristocracy and noble women competed in creating more and
more
beautiful and intricate objects. They now represent a highly valued and
cherished gift symbolizing deep
friendship and loyalty. It is traditional for a mother to make a ball
for her daughter as a New Year's gift. They
are
also
defined
as
Hime-temari
(silk
balls),
made
to
bring
good
fortune
to
the
person
who
keeps
them,
and
are
made
by
hand
wrapping
silk threads of different colors. These
crafts, filled with both the craftsman's gentle spirit and techniques,
are believed to bestow happiness. The brilliant color and threads used
also are symbolic of wishing the recipient a brilliant (happy) life. Traditionally becoming a craftsman
in Japan was a tedious process (click here to learn more). To become a Temari
artist in Japan today requires specific training and one must be tested
on one's skills and technique before being acknowledged as a crafter of
Temari. (Click here for more detailed
history and info about certification from
the Japan Temari Association.)
The
patterns are geometric and usually
symmetrical, with many of the design elements being based upon nature.
In appearance, most are very reminiscent of a kaleidoscope's patterns.
Modern day creations may use a preformed ball base (the "mari") -
generally
a styrofoam ball
or large wooden bead - which is then wrapped with a layer of yarn and
then a layer of regular weight sewing thread (it requires at least
three
hundred yards for a three inch ball) - both of which must be placed
smoothly
to insure roundness of the ball. Strict traditional Temari artists will
still create their own mari base from discarded fabric or other
materials that can be wadded into the shape of a sphere. Sometimes a
layer of batting is applied prior to the yarn wrap in order to smooth
and round the ball form. The ball is then divided with relational
geometry
using a thin paper strip - no defined measuring is generally used. The
divisions
are indicated with pins and then marking threads are placed. If the
marking
threads are incorporated into the design they will often be done in
gold
or silver - other designs require the marking threads to be the same
color
as the base thread wrap so as to blend into the background. (For
more
information click here
). After the ball is prepared and marked the designs are
embroidered with a variety of threads. The most common type used today
is pearl cotton, although finer and specialty silk, metallic and rayon
embroidery threads or embroidery ribbons assist in producing even more
beautiful outcomes. The designs are accomplished by either stitching
the
patterns (there are very few basic, simple stitches) or by designated
wrapping. A combination of the two may also be used. There are no
defined
outcomes - Temaris are limited only by the imagination of the crafter.
It was traditional for the balls made for children as toys to have some
rice in their center so as to have them rattle. Modern balls may have a
jingle bell or rattle in their centers for good luck. Some balls, after
they had been taken in as art, were further decorated with elaborate
tassels
made by intricate methods of braiding and knotting.
Most
Temari balls average three to five inches
in diameter, although any size is possible and larger ones are popular
in Japan, where collections of all sizes and styles are treasured.
Smaller ones may be made for Christmas tree ornaments, and other home
and personal accessories including jewelry. They may be displayed
singly or collected and arranged in groups. When shown singly they may
be hung in windows or from ceilings or doorjambs. They may be mounted
from crossbars as a mobile. Single balls may be hung on tabletop
display stands. Alternately they may be grouped in a bowl or basket, or
shown individually on a ring base or "egg" stand. Temari balls make
exquisite Christmas ornaments. They make wonderful, unique gifts and treasured as wedding and
anniversary gifts, and as mementos of friendship and special occasions.
Little
information was available in English
for these kaleidoscopic treasures, but crafting temari is a growing
interest in the West and expecially with the advent of the WWW, much
more information is being learned and shared and contacts being created
with temari crafters in Japan. There are few books published in
English; many are available in Japanese that may be used for design
ideas once the basic ball
construction techniques are mastered.
Temarikai.com is
owned, authored and edited by Puffin Stuff, Inc
/ Ginny
Thompson, Member & Kyoujyu/Professor Certificate 2010, Japan Temari
Association Tokyo, Japan;
Member, Mid-Hudson
Japanese
Community Association, New York
USA Member, Embroiderer's Guild
of America; Skyllkill Chapter
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