An Old Temari or Gift Ball: Cotton and Silk Floss

early twentieth century
diameter: 3", 7.5 cm 

Temari, literally “hand ball,” are gifts made for children. Temari were originally made from left over yarn or string, both cotton and silk floss were used for the external decoration.

A ball was created from wound threads.  Sometimes a written wish for the child was placed at the center of the ball, or other times some rice grains or a bell were the center of the ball, placed there to create a rattling or jingling noise to amuse the child.

This temari rattles when it is shaken, so most likely there are few grains of rice contained in the center of this thread ball.

It is an old temari, and old temari are very difficult to find these days.  

This one is made from a core of wound cotton yarns.  The surface is lightly wound with red silk floss (some of the white cotton ball can be seen under this red silk floss) over which there is a network of indigo dyed blue silk yarn that has been formed into the traditional asa no ha or hemp leaf pattern

A marvelous old temari, something hard to find--and very collectible.

Very recommended.