Temari: Chinese needle art

Temari is a Chinese needle art that was introduced to Japan in the 7th century. “Te” means hand and “mari” means ball, so the term means “embroidering the surface of a ball”. Temari balls were made from the remains of old kimonos with silk thread used to stitch them together. Eventually, the functional stitching became decorative and the balls evolved into works of art with beautiful embroidered designs. They were gifted to children on New Years’ Day, containing a secret handwritten wish for the child or a noise-making object. Today, Temari patterns include complex mathematical designs in a variety of interlocking geometric shapes. Temari balls are highly cherished gifts, symbolizing deep friendship and loyalty. The colours and the threads symbolize a brilliant and happy life.