Our way is to see what we are doing, moment after moment.
— Shunryu Suzuki (1904–1971)
This is the largest temari I have made to date, I believe, though not noticeably so. It's an asymmetrical variation of the kiku (chrysanthemum) pattern; the kiku at the top has multiple stitches that reach out from the previous points, to create a filigree effect. The kiku at the bottom is purposefully smaller and secondary. I think it looks a bit like a Native American vase or other vessel.
This is truly wabi sabi — that is, "perfectly imperfect" of "flawed beauty" — with emphasis on the wabi. It's round, but for some reason when I did the measuring to set the pins for the outer petals, I measured down from the poles rather than up from the equator, which I long ago learned is the preferable way. This resulted in very uneven ends of the main petals around the center. I had already intended to do some "free range" stitching of the last rows of petals, but emphasized them even more so to help fill the space. It's lovely, but yes, flawed. I won't put too fine a point on the resulting irony of the quotation in the center.
Thread wrap in black; S16 division in black perle; embroidery in two shades of golden yellow and three shades of silver gray. The quote above by Shunryu Suzuki is in the bell box along with 11 brass rings. Circumference: 11.5 inches / 29.5 cm; diameter: 3.66 inches / 9.4 cm. Completed 9 December 2011 (no. 072).
Sold to benefit Kiva.org.
It is so great and marvelous that imperfections are not detected. When you see this precious artwork you can understand the spontaneity natural and the great talent expressing how perfect the life is, regardless of the natural imperfections inherent to the human being itself. The lack of precision does not diminish in any way the incredible and admirable talent of this artist and the wonder of his work! This temari ball is stunning and wonderful! Congratulations!
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