International Temari Appreciation Day Date in the current year: October 22, 2026

Temari originated in China and were introduced to Japan around the 7th century, as mentioned above. The Japanese word temari translates to “hand ball”, and as the name suggests, they were originally used in handball games. Temari were made from scraps of old kimonos that were wadded up to form a ball and wrapped in thread or strips of fabric.

Over time, people began decorating temari with increasingly elaborate embroidery, transforming them from toys into art objects and gifts. Temari-making became a popular pastime among Japanese noblewomen, who designed intricate patterns. The transformation of temari from toys into decorative objects was complete around the time that rubber was introduced to Japan, when rubber balls replaced traditional fabric balls in children’s play.

Today, temari are popular as a decorative craft and folk art in Japan and beyond. In Japan, they are traditionally given as gifts for births, weddings, the New Year, and other celebrations. Different patterns can symbolize various wishes. In some regions, specific temari styles have developed over time.

Unlike traditional temari makers, who used fabric scraps, buckwheat chaff, or rice husks for the base, modern temari makers usually use balls made from Styrofoam or compressed fiber. The core ball is wrapped with a base layer of fabric or cotton thread until it is firm and round. Then, the maker divides the ball into six, eight, ten, or twelve equal sections, marking them with guide threads and pins.

Once the ball is divided into sections, the maker begins embroidering by wrapping decorative threads over the guide lines. Temari designs can vary greatly, ranging from relatively simple geometric patterns to traditional motifs such as bamboo, pine, and cranes. The beauty of temari comes not from the complexity of the design, but from the precision of the embroidery and color transitions.

International Temari Appreciation Day (ITAD) was created in 2010 by Rebecca, a temari enthusiast who runs the blog international-temari-appreciation.blogspot.com. October 22 was chosen after a discussion with other temari enthusiasts, though the reason for this choice is unclear. Although the ITAD blog has been inactive since 2012, crafters around the world continue to celebrate the holiday, albeit without a centralized celebration.

Temari enthusiasts organize events for International Temari Appreciation Day, including workshops, get-togethers, temari exhibitions at libraries and other community spaces, and temari swaps. Those who cannot attend an in-person event can still participate by sharing pictures of their temari, temari designs or tutorials, and hosting giveaways on their websites or social media.

If you know little about temari, International Temari Appreciation Day is the perfect opportunity to learn more about this amazing art form. You could also support a local temari artist by purchasing their work or sharing it on social media. If you’ve been thinking about making your own temari, the holiday is a great day to start!