2013. Photo: NanaAku.
Temari balls are a form of folk art that originated in China and were introduced to Japan in the 7th century. The carefully hand-embroidered balls often made from the thread of old kimonos were created by parents or grandparents and given to children on New Year’s day as special gift. According to online resources the balls would sometimes contain secret handwritten wish for the child, or else contained some kind of noise-making object like a bell.