Temari, a Folk Art from Ancient Japan by Barbara B. Suess
Temari (“hand ball” in Japanese) is a folk craft born in ancient Japan to delight and entertain children with a toy thread ball. Today, a colorful thread-wrapped and embroidered temari ball is given as a token of love and good luck to family and friends.
Temari has a long and symbolic history.
The art of temari comes from simple beginnings. As Buddhist missionaries traveled east from India through China and Korea to Japan, they spread religious beliefs and culture. The Japanese craft of stitching temari balls is said to have its origins in kemari (football), brought to Japan from China about 1400 years ago.
Over the years, region by region, more Japanese women became interested in this folk art, adding noisemakers to the inside and stitching designs to cover the outside. Ever changing, becoming more and more complex, each new temari ball was a delight to behold, an embroidered puzzle.
Recycle your thread and yarn scraps.
Temari is a craft of recycling and you’ll find the few supplies that you need to purchase are very inexpensive. You’ll need a darner needle, a bit of soft yarn, some thread for wrapping the ball, and craft thread or pearl cotton embroidery thread for stitching the design.
As you stitch, let your spirit and creativity flow into your temari so you give it along with your artful creation. What a precious blessing to give to someone you love!
Caution: Stitching temari can be highly addictive!
Books by Barb
