Making Centuries Old Toys in Japan: Temari

Join us in our latest deep dive into Japanese traditions!
The process of dyeing the string to make Temari balls, as well as the entire process of crafting them will be covered in this video.
We also get to know the craftspeople behind Kurashiki Temari--Yoshiko-san and her beloved grandmother. They have a heart warming tale that'll inspire you to take up a hobby with your loved ones--I'm sure of it!
Kurashiki Temari
/ kurashiki_temari

[@marydegenkolb9603]

I found Temari on KZbin. And for a year I have been learning the art. I love the geometry of it and the simple stitches that make it beautiful. So far I have made over a hundred balls. unfortunately, cancer has messed up my feeling in my hands. They are numb and tingling. But hopefully I will be back to making Temari again soon.

[@Q2Japan]

Oh wow thank you for sharing your story! I'm sorry to hear that your condition has made it difficult to do dexterous tasks... Hoping for the best!

[@NatalAttack]

I really hope too that in time you can find a way to get back into making more temari. In the meantime, I also hope you can still find joy, comfort and satisfaction when you behold what you’ve made and continue learning about it. It can feel nice to connect and see what others also make, realising you’ve got the experience and knowledge to understand the effort it takes.

[@marydegenkolb9603]

@@NatalAttack I started one today. I will continue to do my craft if possible. Thank you for your kind words.

[@toshikosuisei4160]

My grandmother made a Temari ball for me when I was little. I still have it. Though she wasn't around to teach me how, I did learn how to make them to give as special gifts. My mother taught me how to fold origami, how to crochet, and other crafts. Crafty line of women going way back -- and I am proud to be one of them ^.^

[@Q2Japan]

That's awesome! And thanks for sharing about your craft making experience. It makes others feel connected too

[@quinterbeck]

Beautifully heartfelt video. Yukiko even has tiny temari earrings on, so cute!

[@Q2Japan]

@@quinterbeck oh I'm glad you noticed! And thank you!

[@veryberry100]

The way she talks about her grandmother is so loving. My own grandmother has dementia so this really resonated with me. This is a wonderful video, thank you

[@Q2Japan]

@@veryberry100 oh I'm sorry to hear that...it means a lot to us that the video connected with you though. Thank you for sharing!

[@zoescott779]

These types of skills aren't just crafts, even if people often see them that way these days, thanks to manufacturing mostly, but these skills used to be SO incredibly integral to a home and community, some may see it as archaic, but those things literally are how communities survived.

[@Q2Japan]

@@zoescott779 thanks for sharing! I agree that these skills are important for culture and community :) I'm glad you enjoy them!

[@dot8605]

Thank you for sharing this inspiring craft and the great ladies that make the temari with us. I absolutely agree with everything the grandmother said. Something like this gives you joy - by making temari and by gifting them to friends and family.

[@Q2Japan]

Wow thank you! I'm glad that her words resonate so much with people!

[@fallensway855]

❤ my goodness the grandmother that everyone dreams of, such love for her granddaughter. Absolutely beautiful work. It’s so heartwarming to see when an art form (historical or new) plus the skills, intricacies and tricks are shared with joy, love and because they have pride for their artform, it’s history and the traditions ect also on top of that being creative is so rewarding.

[@Q2Japan]

@@fallensway855 yeah she was a joy :) it's unfortunate about her dementia but I was honored to have been able to capture a previous moment. And totally agree about the beauty of tradition and art!

[@ttaibe]

The temari are nice. But 7:02 and on a bit are so precious.

[@Q2Japan]

Right?! It always makes me smile :)

[@EdwardLindon]

Beautiful images, a nice clean script and really touching interviews!

[@Q2Japan]

Thank you! That means a lot :)

[@user-mn5lw4iz5w]

おばあちゃんとのお話すごくホッコリする、受け継いでいくって素敵だね、

[@Q2Japan]

@@user-mn5lw4iz5w ありがとうございます！

[@xSHYxSHYx]

I like the sashiko in the background

[@Q2Japan]

@@xSHYxSHYx ah thank you!

[@interruptingPreempt]

I like the tamari! They're very pretty! I've made one, too! The book I used said to use the traditional materials, but if they couldn't be found, one could substitute dryer lint (for rice bran) stuffed into discarded socks (washi paper). It works, and retains the sensibility of making use of things that would be thrown out otherwise. 🧵

[@Q2Japan]

Oh wow that's fun! I'm glad you figured it out in a modern way :) Thanks for sharing!

[@77AlexS]

So much detailed work! And now that they've been doing it for a while, they can move so quickly O_O

[@Q2Japan]

Neh! :)

[@czerniana]

I love making these =). I learned how to do them a year or two ago and have made three or four in my spare time in front of the TV. I already did a lot of embroidery, so this was a fun lateral hobby to pick up! I have several bases just waiting for me to do the final decorations. Instead of rice bran, we use all the plastic shopping bags that we end up keeping and never using. It’s a great way to recycle into something beautiful =)

[@Q2Japan]

yeah that totally works! i'm glad you enjoy Temari too :) Thanks for sharing with us!

[@KajaKamisama]

I love japanese arts ♥

[@77AlexS]

Me too ^^

[@Q2Japan]

Sweet!

[@kockavkimonu8959]

Thank you for sharing this wonedrful craftmanship with us

[@Q2Japan]

@@kockavkimonu8959 and thank you for tuning in! :)

[@sarahb.6475]

I never heard of tamari before. But its very interesting to see how they are made and how the string is colored using flowers + plants! ❤

[@Q2Japan]

@@sarahb.6475 yeah the dyeing process was neat eh! Thanks for turning in!

[@mirisoji8406]

that looks like fun! The filming was also very nice

[@Q2Japan]

Thank you! I think it is a fun craft :) and filming was fun too! 😁

[@Spagettigeist]

I really love handcrafts and it's always nice to learn something about a handcraft tradition I didn't know before =)

[@Q2Japan]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad there are people like you who enjoy learning various traditions :)

[@jeraldbaxter3532]

Thank you!😊

[@Q2Japan]

Cheers!

[@insanityisorange8659]

I absolutely am going to learn how to make some of these! I love to hand sew and these are beautiful ! Thank you for letting us into your life ❤️

[@Q2Japan]

@@insanityisorange8659 awesome! Yukikosan would be so happy 😁

[@morganditty7802]

What a beautiful video! That was fascinating to watch, thank you for the time and effort you put into showcasing such precious parts of humanity! Listening to Yukiko and her grandmother talk about how much they adore their craft is inspiring ❤️

[@Q2Japan]

well thank YOU! it means a lot to hear from viewers, especially when the video hits an emotional chord.

[@SorrensSorrow]

Omg love grandmother she is adorbs! Now to make a temari!

[@Q2Japan]

@@SorrensSorrow isn't she?! :) enjoy the temari!

[@kaiiimee]

Amazing craftsmanship. They say it's simple, but I feel too intimidated by it, even though I do a lot of other crafts. I'm still baffled from the grandmother and your mention that she has dementia. Except for two questions which are pretty normal, her mind seems so fit. I hope she stays in good health for a long time and that the dementia doesn't proceed further

[@Q2Japan]

Yeah it's a scary and saddening condition...She was so warm and welcoming too! But yeah the process is relatively simple but I'd need a lot of help from Yukikosan personally 😂

[@eileenjohnston6835]

very beautiful.

[@Q2Japan]

thank you!

[@beatricenowell8207]

Excellent Video! Yukiko-san's grandmother is so sweet. I so wish I understood Japanese well enough to take her class. I'll try to find a Temari class online as well. 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@Q2Japan]

@@beatricenowell8207 thank you for the kind words! Actually you don't need to speak Japanese at all for the in person workshop! But I hope you find a tutorial online anyway :)

[@sapphirejade5029]

Thank you for showing us the beautiful craft and those who do it, keep it going. You're preserving a part of art history and it's beautiful.🥹🫂

[@Q2Japan]

Well jeez such a nice comment! Thank you very much :)

[@Mixed_Activist]

Reminds me of my rubber band balls I used to make

[@Q2Japan]

Haha I can see it!

[@annikadaniels1319]

I have seen temari and never knew the name! I'd love to make one with her if its still available when I finally plan my trip. This video was so lovely. Thank you!

[@Q2Japan]

@@annikadaniels1319 that's great to hear! I hope you get to visit Kurashiki :) thanks for sharing!

[@funtonite]

They're so precious!

[@Q2Japan]

Hopefully you get to make one one day!

[@kramer3147]

Thank you for the video. It would be nice to watch a video about hikaru dorodango too🙂

[@Q2Japan]

@@kramer3147 thank you! And neat! Maybe one day :)

[@criscris2959]

Gracias por enseñar esta labor artesanal tan bonita.❤❤

[@Q2Japan]

Gracias! 😁

[@txemanovelo]

Beautiful!

[@Q2Japan]

@@txemanovelo thank you!

[@dyahsukmanoviar7304]

OMG 2 hours? 😅😅 the first time, i spent a week to make one, now its just a few days. the hardest part for temari is the precision. the ball should be firm but not hard, so when wrapped it with string you have to be careful not pulling it too tight, and the shape should be reaallly round (mind you, how can precise it would be when it was hand made?) . next, when embroidered : another precise stitch😅😅😅

[@Q2Japan]

yeah she's a tried n true pro! thanks for tuning in and sharing your experience

[@ToTo-vx7xq]

Merci..c est si beau.j aimerais tellement en faire....y a t il un endroit a Paris?

[@judit576]

Similabda! 🤩

[@user-zx6lj1qz5p]

Alls Straight line

[@thlee3]

1:25 perky sphere

[@Steffyfdiy]

Как это потом чистить от грязи? Это можно стирать? Сомневаюсь. Рис и бумага внутри. Сомнительное творение

[@nobodysanything2330]

🧶