Kaleidoscopic Temari

While browsing through Etsy recently, I was introduced to a brilliant Japanese folk art at Julie and Co's shop. Brought over from China over 500 years ago, Temari balls or Gotenmari have evolved into a traditional Japanese craft; and requires definitive training and tests to become a recognized artisan in Japan. Historically they were a toy made by grandmothers for children using old kimono fabric, but are now a decorative and detailed art-form  cherished as gifts. They would be great as Christmas ornaments and household decorations, and smaller versions could be used to make super cool jewelery! I found myself marveling at the kaleidoscope like, geometric symmetry of these embroidered balls and went on a hunt for more.

On Etsy, I find that Julie and Co's shop have the most lovely variety of Temari balls.

I also came across a wealth of fantastic Temari designs on flickr...

Photo credit: Rali

Photo credits (left to right both rows): Oksanka; Julieandco; Raboutique; Oksanka; TheArtificer; Julieandco

Photo credits (left to right): Oksanka; Oksanka; Rali

Photo credits (left to right both rows): Julieandco; Julieandco; Julieandco; TheArtificer; CraftyPanties; CraftyPanties

Photo credits (left to right both rows): Oksanka; HandyAnn; Julieandco; Rali; Wklager; Wklager

There are unending design possibilities with Temari balls; and I'm itching to try my hand at making one.

Here's to Japanese ingenuity!