Traditional crafts

Gotenmari

What is Honjo Gotenmari, a folk craft from Akita Prefecture with beautiful old-fashioned patterns?

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Local governments across Japan have a wide variety of folk crafts that reflect the history, climate, and culture of their respective regions. Crafts and processed goods made from locally sourced materials can now be found online, but there's still no better way to truly experience them than by seeing them in person

Akita Prefecture also has beautiful folk crafts unique to the region. The Akita folk craft we will introduce this time is a colorful "mari" called "Gotenmari" that is a tradition in the Yurihonjo area. "Mari" is a ball-like toy. "Mari" was popular not only among children, but also among the nobility and women who served in the palace

This time, we will introduce the Honjo Gotenmari from Yurihonjo City, one of the "mari" that are passed down throughout Japan

What is Honjo Gotenmari? History and how it's made

Gotenmari

"Honjo Gotenmari" is one of the folk crafts in the shape of a "ball" found all over Japan

Mari is an old Japanese toy. People played with it by bouncing it or rolling it like a ball. However, it is not only used as a toy, but also as a piece of furniture and folk art

It is said that Gotenmari, which are passed down all over Japan, were passed down to the general public by women who served in the palaces. However, it is not known where or by whom Honjo Gotenmari spread. It is speculated that it was probably passed down from women who served in the palaces, but the truth remains unknown to this day. By the late Edo period, such balls were already being made in the area that is now Yurihonjo City, and were popular among the common people

The ball in the picture is a Honjo Gotenmari. It is small enough to roll in the palm of your hand. There are larger and smaller ones available

Honjo Gotenmari was originally made by rolling up cotton from wild vegetables such as fern and wrapping it with weaving thread. Nowadays, cotton and cotton thread are easily available. Tools for making Gotenmari are also sold at handicraft and folk craft stores in Akita Prefecture

In the past, cotton such as spring was used, but nowadays it is common to carefully wrap thread around a round polystyrene foam. Of course, there are also people who make them the old-fashioned way

Featuring fireworks and seasonal flower designs! Folk crafts that are a feast for the eyes

In Yurihonjo city, Gotenmari is treated as a symbol, and can be seen displayed all over the city, including train stations and public facilities

Souvenir shops sell Gotenmari in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes. They range in size from larger than a human head to the size of the palm of your hand. Some Gotenmari, including the tassels, are even taller than a human

Patterns range from Japanese-inspired designs such as roses, fireworks, and chrysanthemums to modern geometric patterns

New designs are created every day, so it is not known exactly how many patterns there are. Of course, people who have just started making Gotenmari can also invent patterns that they think are beautiful. Newly invented patterns will eventually spread and give rise to even more new patterns, so this is truly a "tradition."

The picture shows a souvenir shop packed with items. There are quite a variety of items on display here

lastly

Honjo Gotenmari is not only a representative folk craft of Yurihonjo City, but also one of the representative folk crafts of Akita Prefecture. It is a folk craft that is widely sold in souvenir shops in Akita Prefecture, so you will likely see it often when traveling. Small ones are reasonably priced and make a very popular souvenir for women and children

When you travel to Akita, be sure to look for your favorite pattern. There is a surprising variety of colors and patterns, and it's fun just looking at them!

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