yuuco's tekuteku diary

What do you guess is this cute colourful ball? This is traditional Japanese craft "Kagari temari". Temari was ball toy for kids in the days of old,　now it became ornament because of it's beautifulness. Each local area has it's own "Tameri" all over Japan, this is made in Kagawa so it's called "Sanuki kagari temari".　These are made by Eiko Araki, an artisan of Sanuki Kagari Temari. The only craftsman, like her, who has over 20 years of the experience can be called "Traditional Craft's Expert".





The character of Sanuki Kagari Temari is the colourful strings used on it. The cotton strings which is one of The Three White Things of Kagawa coloured with plants are really idyllic and gentle soft colour by using natural materials.
Preparing lavender here. Lavender becomes yellow.





Coloured strings. The sign says "Sanuki", the name of Kagawa in the past.





All the process is done by hand. They reel strings on the ball one by one forming fine patterns. It's absolutely a technical and proffessional world!





These are the base parts before ornamentation. So cute enough!





These are straps for mobiles and have perfume of incense. It's nice to feel traditions in daily life with the way like this. :) Made by Eiko Araki. Of course these are made by hand. Unbelievable details!





Needle bed. Sweet, isn't it? Why the tools for nice stuff are always nice? This is also made by needle bed craftsman. :)