しあわせ

Shi-ah-wah-se

One style of Otedama balls is made with 4 strips of fabric. Since 4 strips meet together, it is called 四合わせShi-awase (pronounced shi-ah-wah-se) in Japanese. Shi means four, and awase means to put together. However, another word幸せshi-awase, which has the same pronunciation but different letters, means happiness.

Because of this word-play, this type of otedama balls is thought to bring happiness. In the olden days or even today, you can almost imagine somewhere someone making otedame balls for children and wishing that they will bring a happy healthy life for them.