Asalamualaikum, and hello to everyone! こんにちは！

This is what I’ve found about Temari, one of the souvenirs that I’ve got from Japan. I don’t want to keep it for myself, so I want to share and talk about it!

TEMARI [てまり]

Temari is one of Japan’s traditional handicrafts. It is said to be originated in China. In Japanese, Temari means “Hand ball”, where “Te” means hand and “Mari” means ball. Its use depends on its size; it can be used for playing if it’s small or as an ornament if it’s big. According to history, Temari were made of old kimono remnants. Nowadays, Temari are made of fabric and threads, where they are wrapped around a Styrofoam ball. After the wrappings have finished, the ball is then stitched according to the desired designs. The colourful threads used and the intricate designs are symbolic, as they are believed can bring a brilliant and happy life to the recipient. The intricate designs are usually symmetrical and geometrical and are based on nature. In Japan, mothers gave Temari to their children on the New Year’s Day. Deep inside, a wish was written on a small piece of paper but this was never told to the children. Apart from wishes, some “noisemakers” such as bells are placed inside to create the Temari more attractive than just an ordinary ornament. Some believed this would bring good luck to the recipient. Temari make wonderful, unique gifts and treasured as wedding and anniversary gifts, and as mementos of friendship and also special occasions, (such as the ones that we received during our visit to Kaseda High School.) For the new batch, Temari might be one of your souvenirs that you can bring back home to Brunei, the more interesting or beautiful the design, the more memorable it is. Why not you try to look for one? Just make sure kamu simpan ia baik2 dalam beg.

[Anyway, kalau kamu notice, the three Japanese characters diatas atu ada arah tag Temari atu. I didn’t notice that at all too at first! When I check the tag, rupanya namanya ada disana… :) ganya written in Japanese… One more thing, carpet arah lobby hotel di Wakayama pun ada gambar2 Temari. Di bawah ada ku gambar...] OK, that’s all that I can share, till next time!

ムハマド・ノオ・ビン・ムサ
[Md Nuh Musa]