Vintage Shōnai Temari — circa 1950–1970
　
Handcrafted in the Shōnai region of Yamagata Prefecture, this traditional temari (handball) reflects the meticulous artistry and geometric precision of Japanese folk embroidery during the mid-Showa era. Once made as cherished gifts to wish happiness and good fortune, each ball was wrapped in layers of silk or cotton thread over a soft core, then embroidered with intricate patterns.
　
This piece, likely created between the 1950s and 1970s, features a harmonious palette of muted green, deep crimson, and golden yellow, with interlocking star and petal motifs. The slightly faded tones and gentle wear speak to decades of quiet preservation. Both a tactile artifact and a visual poem, it embodies the warmth of handwork and the refined sensibility of rural Japan’s craft heritage.
　
Measures: 9cm (3.5in)