By Noel Kat from mymodernmet:
In Japan, the temari were highly regarded gifts given to children by their parents on New Year’s Day. These treasured toys were symbolic of a wish for the recipient to have good fortune and a happy life, as well as promising heartfelt friendship and loyalty. Sometimes the maker would cocoon a noisemaker such as a bell or few grains of rice for added fun, while more traditionally a secret wish of goodwill hand-written on a small piece of paper would be folded into the center.
NanaAkua’s flickrvia [trendhunter]