My Encounter:

 A traditional Japanese temari ball is something of great beauty. It is an ancient and obscure artform, that is believed to have originated in China over a thousand years ago.

Some time ago, I was introduced to temari by a neighbor who brought one home from a recent visit to Japan. She knew I was an artist interested in beauty and thought I might enjoy seeing it.

So captivated, upon first sight of her Temari, I was compelled to learn how to make one. The process involved research into Japanese pattern books and then many hours of wrapping assorted colors of thread, yarn and string to form complex interwoven geometric patterns on a sphere form.

Even though it was initially challenging, I loved the results so much that I continued to experiment with the designs. Each time taking on more elaborate ones and even developing my own. At one point early on, I had an exhibit of my Temari at a Japanese museum nearby. Later, I exhibited them at a gallery associated with the National Association of Women Artists in NYC.

One day, after making one such temari and observing that not only had I created a beautiful piece of art, but I felt especially calm, I started to wonder if other people would find wrapping meditative and centering. Such thoughts gave way to passionate resolve to explore the process of healing through the act of wrapping.

So began my social art practice. This consists of social art projects in various various . The outcomes visually document my investigation into "The Power of Wrapping."

History of Temari

"There is no known record of when and how Temari (meaning "to wind by hand") originated. It is said that the introduction of Temari came from China during the Nara Period. It was made from deer skin, and used only by high court lords in kickball games. At the same time, court ladies of the noble family began using the beautiful silk threads to carefully and lovingly wind them them into decorative balls. They competed with each other in making the most colorful and elaborate patterns. The balls were used in tossing games or as decorative pieces. During the late Helan (Fujiwara) Period (AD898-1185), it was known as Goten-Mari, and loved and highly valued by the princesses of the noble family.

Temari was handed down from generation to generation, mother to daughter. It gradually spread and became popular also in regional towns where it developed its own techniques, beauty and local color. It is also known as Edo-Temari, Kishu-Temari, Matsumoto-Temari, Kaga-Temari, etc., according to its geographical location and design. Following the Meiji period, rubber balls were introduced and the popularity of Temari gradually declined.

"Today this traditional Japanese folk art has been revised and newly devised designs and patterns have been created. With more and more elaborate techniques and refined materials it has become very popular, and has resulted in the formation of many societies for the research of Temari."

Japanese Temari Association

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