20 Handcrafted Temari Spheres Vibrantly Embroidered In Colourful Threads

Temari, meaning handball in Japanese, is a traditional form of artistry originating in China, later adopted by the Japanese during the 7th century. The hand-made spheres were initially crafted from the remnants of old kimonos, but evolved into a more intricately detailed form of embroidery.  The temari balls were often created by parents or grandparents who wanted to give a special gift at New Year’s to a child. According to some sources, a handwritten note may be hidden inside, or there may be some small noise-making item within the balls. Flickr user NanaAkua shared a beautiful selection of temari spheres handcrafted by her 88-year-old grandmother, who had begun practising the art in her 60s. The collection boasts a variety of over 500 vivid spheres from which we’ve shared a few top picks in the gallery below.  More info: NanaAkua | Facebook

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