This is a Temari ball I would love to own, even better if I can become good enough to create my very own using this tutorial. They say practice makes perfect so here I go…
Looking for more Temari balls? check out these tutorials.
The Temari Tradition (source)
Temari are highly valued and cherished gifts, symbolizing deep friendship and loyalty. Also, the brilliant colors and threads used are symbolic of wishing the recipient a brilliant and happy life. Traditionally, becoming a craftsman in Japan was a tedious process. Becoming 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.
Traditionally, temari were often given to children from their parents on New Year’s Day. Inside the tightly wrapped layers of each ball, the mother would have placed a small piece of paper with a goodwill wish for her child. The child would never be told what wish their mother had made while making the ball.
Alternately, some balls contained “noisemakers” consisting of rice grains or bells to add to the play value. It is said that traditional temari were wrapped so tightly they would bounce. Temari are also known as “gotenmari.”
Hi,
I was looking for temari books when I found your page with surprise, one of my temari balls. It was sent to the Japanese Temari Society as part of my grading several years ago. I shared the pattern on Temarikai although they have edited the directions a bit from my original. The frame is a bit complex but each pattern is simple. If you decide to stitch it I would love to see a photo of it.
Happy stitching,
Shelley S.