Temaricious at the Knitting & Stitching show
Temari, ‘handball’ in Japanese, has a long and colourful past. Making temari was an entertaining pastime for noble women in the early part of the Edo Period (1600-1868). Originally crafted from the same silk threads woven into elegant kimono, temari were made as pretty playthings.When cotton was introduced into Japan, women of lesser means could afford to make them and the craft spread throughout the country. Crafters of each region added a personal touch, recycling local fibres and dried plants into each ball. Embroidery designs gained a regional aspect with the addition of geometric and floral designs symbolic to each area.
Japanese mothers and grandmothers made temari to give to their young children. The girls and boys loved mari-tsuki, a game played by singing nonsense rhymes while tossing the ball. Celebrations of both New Year and Girl’s Day called for new temari. A gift to a bride symbolized good luck in her new home. Today however, the thread-wrapped and embroidered balls are displayed and enjoyed as works of fibre art.
The friendship between Naho Izumi and Rika Stein bloomed from its beginning a decade ago into a small business they call Temaricious based in west Tokyo. Combining two ancient crafts (natural dyeing and stitching temari) brings joy to their friendship. Through exhibitions, workshops, and sale of their hand-dyed threads, Naho and Rika connect people of different cultures to beautiful colours, aromas, sounds, and textures of nature.
Hand-embroidered balls from the Sanuki region of Japan first impressed Rika. The craft of temari, popular there from the mid 18th century, almost died out after World War II but was revived in 1952 by Kazuo and Yakeo Araki. The couple researched the art by learning from elders in the community. 20 years later, they established ‘Sanuki Temari Kagari’ as a distinct method of using natural-dyed, cotton threads to embroider designs on a thread-wrapped ball.
Japanese mothers and grandmothers made temari to give to their young children. The girls and boys loved mari-tsuki, a game played by singing nonsense rhymes while tossing the ball. Celebrations of both New Year and Girl’s Day called for new temari. A gift to a bride symbolized good luck in her new home. Today however, the thread-wrapped and embroidered balls are displayed and enjoyed as works of fibre art.
The friendship between Naho Izumi and Rika Stein bloomed from its beginning a decade ago into a small business they call Temaricious based in west Tokyo. Combining two ancient crafts (natural dyeing and stitching temari) brings joy to their friendship. Through exhibitions, workshops, and sale of their hand-dyed threads, Naho and Rika connect people of different cultures to beautiful colours, aromas, sounds, and textures of nature.
Hand-embroidered balls from the Sanuki region of Japan first impressed Rika. The craft of temari, popular there from the mid 18th century, almost died out after World War II but was revived in 1952 by Kazuo and Yakeo Araki. The couple researched the art by learning from elders in the community. 20 years later, they established ‘Sanuki Temari Kagari’ as a distinct method of using natural-dyed, cotton threads to embroider designs on a thread-wrapped ball.
When Rika discovered a book by Eiko Araki (daughter of Kazuo and Yakeo), she and her friend Naho set out to make their own dyes.They are mostly self-taught, having picked up tips and techniques from many different sources. “Our dyes come from our immediate surroundings, such as a garden, park, weeds on the streets ... the kitchen shelf, or leftovers from cooking. Japanese indigo is cultivated by Naho’s parent-in-law. Other dyes are collected and dried in Prague by Rika’s in-laws.” Many hands of family and friends help with skeining and packaging thread for Temaricious. The palettes of threads grouped for sale reflect their love for this task and their respect for nature: Shira shira is an image of morning glow by the sea, whilst Nyoki nyoki is an image full of trees in the deep forests for example.
Rika learned to stitch temari in a class with Eiko Araki. Impressed with the designs of the Sanuki region, she taught Naho and then, together, they expanded their stitching knowledge through books, websites, and more classes. Adding a touch of their own youthful creativity to making temari, they find joy in sharing their love of these ancient crafts with people.
This is an extract from Barbara B. Suess's article in the Delicate issue of Selvedge.
See Temaricious at the Knitting & Stitching show, Alexandra Palace, London
Quote SVG16 and pay just £12* for your entry ticket (Talk sold separately for £9).
Visit www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/london to book.
*£2.50 off adults / £1 off concessions until Tuesday 4th October. Terms and conditions and booking fees apply.
5-9 October 2016
www.temaricious.com
Rika learned to stitch temari in a class with Eiko Araki. Impressed with the designs of the Sanuki region, she taught Naho and then, together, they expanded their stitching knowledge through books, websites, and more classes. Adding a touch of their own youthful creativity to making temari, they find joy in sharing their love of these ancient crafts with people.
This is an extract from Barbara B. Suess's article in the Delicate issue of Selvedge.
See Temaricious at the Knitting & Stitching show, Alexandra Palace, London
Quote SVG16 and pay just £12* for your entry ticket (Talk sold separately for £9).
Visit www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/london to book.
*£2.50 off adults / £1 off concessions until Tuesday 4th October. Terms and conditions and booking fees apply.
5-9 October 2016
www.temaricious.com