Passionate artists are preserving Japan’s traditional temari craft.

KAWARAMACHI, Japan (AP) — In this quiet town, time appears to stand still.

Women are gathered in a small circle, quietly and carefully stitching intricate designs onto balls that are about the size of an orange.

At the heart of this group is Eiko Araki, a master of Sanuki Kagari Temari, a traditional Japanese craft that has been passed down for over 1,000 years on the southwestern island of Shikoku.

Each of these colorful balls, known as “temari,” is not just an item; it’s a piece of art adorned with geometric patterns that often have beautiful names like “firefly flowers” and “layered stars.” Creating a single temari ball can take weeks or even months to complete. While some may cost hundreds of dollars (or tens of thousands of yen), there are also more affordable options available.

These vibrant balls aren’t meant for playing; instead, they are cherished heirlooms filled with prayers for health and happiness. In many households, they are valued similarly to paintings or sculptures.

The idea behind temari embraces a kind of delicate beauty that’s also quite labor-intensive.

“From nothing, something beautiful is created, bringing joy,” Araki explains. “I want people to remember that certain beautiful things can only be made by hand.”

Natural Materials

This craft originated in a region ideal for growing cotton, benefiting from a warm climate with little rainfall. Consequently, these spherical creations continue to be crafted using this humble material.

At Araki’s studio, which is also the main office for the preservation of temari, there are 140 shades of cotton thread available, ranging from soft pinks and blues to bold colors and subtle variations.

The women hand-dye these threads using natural ingredients, such as plants and flowers. For example, they use cochineal, a bug found on cacti that produces a bright red dye. A deep indigo color requires repeated dyeing to achieve near-black, while yellow and blue blend beautifully to create vibrant greens. A touch of soy juice is added to enhance the colors and the threads may contain organic protein.

Outside the studio, loops of yellow cotton thread hang in the shade, drying in the gentle breeze.

Cotton thread is used for the creation of temari balls, which are dried outside in Kawaramachi, Kagawa prefecture, Japan, as of September 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ayaka McGill)

Creating and Decorating the Balls

The laborious process begins by making a basic ball mold, which is essential for the stitching. Cooked and dried rice husks are wrapped in cotton fabric and tightly wound with thread until a ball starts to form.

Once the ball is ready, the intricate stitching begins.

The balls are surprisingly firm, requiring focused effort for each stitch, and the patterns must be both precise and consistent.

Each ball includes lines that serve as guides for the stitching: one around its middle like an equator, and others that zigzag from the top to the bottom.

A staff member works diligently on temari at Sanuki Kagari Temari in Kawaramachi, Kagawa prefecture, Japan, on September 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ayaka McGill)

Attracting a New Audience

Today, temari is receiving renewed attention, both from Japanese locals and foreign visitors. For instance, Caroline Kennedy, the former United States ambassador to Japan, took lessons in making these balls a decade ago.

Yoshie Nakamura, who showcases traditional Japanese crafts in her duty-free shop at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, highlights temari for its intricate and delicate designs.

“These balls, once perhaps ordinary in earlier times, are now appreciated as beautiful decor items,” she notes.

“I truly believe each Sanuki Kagari Temari symbolizes a unique existence in the world,” she adds.

Araki has introduced new designs that blend modern aesthetics with historical elements, trying to make temari accessible for everyday use, like ornaments for Christmas trees. She has also created small clusters of pastel-colored balls that open and close with magnets, allowing them to be filled with fragrant herbs, serving as a unique type of diffuser.

A Tradition Handed Down Through Generations

Araki, characterized by her gentle demeanor and thoughtful speech, often travels to Tokyo to teach. However, she primarily conducts lessons at her studio, which was once a kindergarten, adorned with faded blue paint and large, weary wooden windows.

Initially a metalwork artist, Araki was introduced to temari by her husband’s parents, who were masters of the craft. They worked tirelessly to revive the art form, which had been declining in the modern era.

Only a few dozen people, mostly women, can now create temari balls to traditional standards.

“The most challenging part is nurturing new artisans. It usually takes over a decade to train them, so it’s essential to find individuals committed to continuing the craft for many years,” Araki explains.

“When people begin to find joy amidst the challenges of creating temari, they tend to persist.”

AP journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report.

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