Sabi Wabi Fine Art Balls

What are Temari Balls?

Temari balls are an art form that originated in Japan (or possibly China) five or six hundred years ago.  The balls were originally made by mothers and grandmothers as toys for children to play with.  The balls were constructed from the remnants of old kimonos.  

As the stitching became more decorative, they transcended from play toys to art objects.

Temari balls became an art and craft of the Japanese aristocracy and their complexity increased.  They now are a highly valued and cherished gift showing friendship and bestowing good wishes.

30 Seconds of Temari

What is Sabi Wabi?

Sabi Wabi is a play on the Japanese term "Wabi Sabi".

In Japanese, Wabi is the embodiment of humility, modesty of choice.  Wabi is a naturalness that is unassuming.

Sabi refers to "the bloom of age".  Something that is rusted or worn is sabi.

Together they mean "perfectly imperfect". 

So if Wabi Sabi is "perfectly imperfect", then Sabi Wabi, for me, means "imperfectly perfect".

While I strive to master the skills of temari, I forgive myself their imperfections.  Slightly irregular spheres, slipped stitches, and inconsistencies are sincere and genuine.  Each temari ball is crafted entirely by hand, my hand.


Wabi-sabi for artists, designers, poets & philosophers.
Leonard Koren
Berkeley, CA: Stone Bridge Press  1994

Wabi Sabi Style
James Crowley
Salt Lake City: Gibbs-Smith 2001

How do you make a temari?

Generally, I start with scrap threads that I collect while stitching.  I envelope those in a scrap of fabric, then wrap it loosely (getting progressively tighter) with yarn.  After the yarn layer, I wrap the ball in thread.

Next, I divide the ball mathematically with guide threads.  Then I stitch the designs.  Most of the designs are traditional Japanese designs.  I have also developed some of my own patterns.

Photos of Temari I've Made

What are Temari Balls?

Temari balls are an art form that originated in Japan (or possibly China) five or six hundred years ago.  The balls were originally made by mothers and grandmothers as toys for children to play with.  The balls were constructed from the remnants of old kimonos.  

As the stitching became more decorative, they transcended from play toys to art objects.

Temari balls became an art and craft of the Japanese aristocracy and their complexity increased.  They now are a highly valued and cherished gift showing friendship and bestowing good wishes.

Welcome

Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog.  I craft Japanese Temari Balls.  This blog is a place for me to post photos of current work and publish information on where to purchase my creations.