Kaga Yubinuki

 

Not just a tool anymore, but a piece of art!

 
It all began when one of my friends learned the art from a young master a few years ago. Since then she quickly got into it, and has made so many thimbles! “For a person who has a different background, like me, the way to make both a Temari handball and Yubinuki thimble are so interesting.” as said by my friend, originally from Peru. The young master is a daughter of the Kaga Temari handball master, Takako Koide.
Thimble: a small metal or plastic cap with a closed end, worn to protect the finger and push the needle in sewing (quotation from ODE). It’s “just a useful article”, you don’t need a beautiful one for sewing work, do you? As a fan of tools, I’m always been inspired by such beautiful things when I create something. Although thimbles don’t really have to be so colorful and beautiful, older Japanese girls must have happyly enjoyed sewing.
These days, girls don’t need to sew very often, and as a result, many don’t use sewing kits or know how to use a thimble. Instead of sewing, girls use those lovely thimbles as necklaces, fashionable rings, keyholders, cellphone straps, and more! It’s not just a tool anymore, but a piece of art!