The Japanese art of Temari is a folk art dating back about 1,000 years. Early writings reveal the art first began in China and spread to Japan. Temari were made for the royal children and as more materials became available, competitions were held. It is believed the wives of Samauri warriors made Temari.

Your temari is custom crafted in the Japanese tradition. Professionally, I teach English to internationals and learned this art through a friend and one of my Japanese students. Your temari is made with a cotton core with hundreds of yards of sewing thread as the base color. The ball is then measured and pinned with a simple strip of paper and stitched and woven to form intricate patterns. For many temari, rice is placed inside the ball to rattle.

This art is held in strong tradition and rules. Temari represent deep friendship and loyalty and it is believed the craftsman’s spirit is woven though the stitches. Temari are given in odd numbers for good luck. If given as a pair, one must be larger than the other (Prince/Princess). Even numbers are viewed in the Japanese culture as bad luck and the word four is shi (which means death).

Temari are appropriate for any occasion. Past customers have given them for births, weddings, anniversaries, holidays, or special occasions. Red and white are auspicious colors representing good luck and blue and white are colors found in Japanese china. It is believed bright colors wish the recipient a long and vibrant life. Elements of nature are important in the Japanese culture so dragonflies, flowers, cherry and plum blossoms are many times revealed on Temari.

Temari can be custom ordered and come in a gift box with a history card.