Temari (toy)

Temari (手まり) balls are a folk art form and Japanese craft, originating in China and introduced to Japan around the 7th century A.D.[1] "Temari" means "hand ball" in Japanese. Balls made from embroidery may be used in handball games and other such similar games (like, i.e., haki sack). An accessory similar in appearance (and constructed with similar techniques and materials), but with the addition of a hand-strap (made with either satin cord or ribbon) and a tassel, can serve as an accessory for a kimono; a kimomo bag.

Three Temari balls with different decorations

History

Historically, temari were constructed from the remnants of old kimono. Pieces of silk fabric would be wadded up to form a ball, and then the wad would be wrapped with strips of fabric. As time passed, traditional temari became an art, with the functional stitching becoming more decorative and detailed, until the balls displayed intricate embroidery. With the introduction of rubber to Japan, the balls went from toys to art objects, although mothers still make them for their children. Temari became an art and craft of the Japanese upper class and aristocracy, and noble women competed in creating increasingly beautiful and intricate objects,[2] some even altered so-as to double as handbags (like a kinchaku or a kimono bag).

Tradition
American bicentennial temari

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."[3]

Principles of construction

All temari are made according to some specific method of construction that involves dividing the mari into a number of sections through the use of temporarily placed pins and permanently placed threads. There are three "standard divisions" which are recognized: simple division (tanjun toubun), 8-combination division (hachitoubun no kumiawase), and 10-combination division (juutoubun no kumiawase).[4]

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References
  1. Berken, Bernadette A. Ethnomathematics: Unlocking the Wonders of Mathematical Ideas (PDF). pp. 14–15. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  2. Vandervoort, Diana. "History of Temari". Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  3. "Item Introduction: Goten-mari (decorative silk thread balls) (Tsuruoka City)". Yamagata Prefectural Government. Retrieved 13 August 2012.
  4. Barbara B. Suess (2007). Japanese Temari: A Colorful Spin on an Ancient Craft. Breckling Press. ISBN 978-1-933308-12-8.
  • Media related to Temari at Wikimedia Commons
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