Historical Background

Gotenmari, widely called Temari, is a handicraft with traditional Japanese beauty. It was originally used as a play tool, as there is a record that the Temari Society was actively held in the 2nd year of Jōō. The Gotenmari of Honjyo City originates from mari, a ball made by the maid of the lord of the Honjyo castle, Tateoka Mitsushige. Among the various Gotenmari made in Japan, the Honjyo Gotenmari is known for its beautiful tassels hanging in three places and the colorfulness of its geometrical patterns.

In the late 1950s to 1960s, a few people were inheriting Temari. In 1961, Honjo City became the venue for table tennis and softball at the Akita National Sports Festival. The city gave Gottenmari as a souvenir to a head coach of each team who stayed at Honjo. The produced "Gottenmari" was given as a souvenir to the coach of the national team who was staying in Honjo and was taken to various places. The "Gottenmari," which was taken back with him, was recognized by many for its brilliance and made its name known throughout the country.

Characteristics

Gotenmari has various shapes. The body of the ball is made from crumpled paper filled with rice hull at its core, and this body is sewn shut using braided threads. The traditional patterns from the feudal government period include the chrysanthemum, labyrinth, spiderweb, and shuriken (throwing-blade). In addition, there are Japanese patterns of cherry blossoms and fireworks. Currently, Western roses and Santa Claus patterns are also being made. 

The process begins with "building a foundation" that forms a spherical foundation. Roll the discipline thread around the chaff and mold it. When the foundation is ready, Insert a pattern guide line and the pattern through "Jiwari."

After the pattern is formed, tufts are attached on three sides to complete it. Gotenmari used to be toys, but are now prized as ornaments, but their accurate shape and unique traditional beauty by colorful threads are highly regarded as ornaments and gifts. 

In the 1970s, 67.5% of the people in Honjo City were engaged in Gotenmari making as an in-house job for housewives. However, after the oil crisis of 1975, the number of in-house Gotenmari-makers declined sharply due to the increase of in-house and part-time workers employed by electric appliance manufacturers, and there are concerns that the remaining producers are aging.

In 1970, the "National Gotenmari Competition 全国ごてんまりコンクール" was held in Honjo City, Akita Prefecture, as a sponsored event of the "16th Honjo Rice Festival" and has continued to this day. Not only traditional patterns but also freely conceived designs of temari, such as fruitful autumn and Santa Claus, are exhibited.

Toshiko Abe from the Gotenmari loving society in Yurihonjo City talked about her reason for forming Gotenmari is to meet with her fellows. Her intention was that making Gotenmari would allow her to feel a sense of belonging to her fellow workers by contributing to the tradition. She means not only those who are making Gotenmari now but also all those who have been involved in Gotenmari making in the past and in the future. Each one of Gotenmari has contributed to the tradition. She even said that she has come to feel happiness through this traditional manufacturing. She says that Gotenmari is the one who accepts her for who she is and that she cannot release it even for a day. She said she would like to continue making Gotenmari for the rest of her life as long as she can use her eyes and hands.