Information about JTA Requirements and Fees - Effective August 2007
(Time and manner may change based on how many people, so please keep up to date)

Preparing for  Examination

About me, and how we work together- My position in JTA: I have a JTA Kyoujyu/L4 (Professor, highest level) certificate, but I am not a judge for examinations. I cannot give any recommendations to JTA or comments about your submissions to pass examinations, since I have not been directly teaching those that apply through me.  My work with you is only for translations of your application papers. So, when you apply for  exams, please understand that it's your responsibility about what you choose to submit, and what you write. The only things I can offer might be a few suggestions if there are confusions or questions, and I will only ask you about such things when I don't understand your submissions when I am translating. I work directly from your writing and choice of what you send me, so what you say in your papers will be what goes to JTA.

When you send application requirements to me by email, please always include your membership number and full name on your files and work. There is no need to add other information to the files.

JTA Exam Information:   ** Red colored info below is actual JTA information; the rest is helpful information for you to consider.
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Level 1: ** The main points of this level of certification are mastering basic stitches, divisions, and symmetry around the ball. The size of the mari base should be about 25cm (plus or minus 2cm) Thread: it's suggested to use pearl cotton #5;  or similar (Thickest size is No.8. No limits for thinner size.)

1) One clear photograph of 4 Simple Divide Temari, stitched in Squares ( "Masu" or "Shikaku" in Japanese )
2) One clear photograph of 6 Simple Divide stitched in Hexagon and Tri-Wing ( "Mitsubane-Kikkou" in Japanese )
3) One clear photograph of 8 Simple Divide stitched in a concurrent North-South Pole Pattern ( "Jyouge Douji Kagari" in Japanese ). See example here. Photo for this temari should show clear view of both pole and equator. Two photos (one showing pole area and one showing equator area) are also acceptable. Please be sure that you understand this design requirement - the stitches are taken at the north and south pole, and cross the equator; there is no stitching at the equator. An obi design may be added, with stitches in it at equator. This is different from shapes (see example here such as squares or diamonds stitched around equator) which is not usually thought of as concurrent N-S Pole design. So, I suggest you to work basic N-S, crossing at equator, design.
4) One clear photograph of Simple 12 Divide stitched in a Kiku pattern ( "Uwagake Chidori Kagari" in Japanese )   A basic Kiku design is recommended, using regular Uwagake Chidori Kagari. Variations of Uwagake Chidori Kagari ( Click here for an example of variations ) are not proper for Level 1 submission.

Helpful note:  If you use "pine needle" stitching - be sure to do this way!! Click here for example "Pine needle"  (This is the one we learn.)

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Level 2: ** The main points of this level of certification are to ascertain the understanding of design composition, the ability to communicate how to execute the designs, as well as stitching and symmetry on Combination Divides. ** These not need be original patterns - they may be reinterpreted from other sources, but it must be your own newly done (drawn, either by hand or computer. Computer does not give advantage) diagram, verbal/written instructions, and stitched temari/photo (not verbatim, digitally or mechanically copied from the source you are citing).

Size of Mari : No restriction in requirements,  but around circumference 25-40cm is appropriate.
Thread: recommended is pearl cotton #5 (or similar), or thinner

One must submit both the Temari (or photographs) as well as pattern instructions that includes completed photo, stitching diagrams and verbal instructions for 3 Combination 8 Divide Temari patterns AND 3 Combination 10 Divide Temari patterns for total of 6 temari and temari patterns.

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Level 3: may only be applied for at least two years after obtaining Koutouka (level 2) certification All work must be of excellent quality. In Japan, you are also entitled to being giving Temari lessons after attaining this level of certification. The word "Shihan" means teacher.. Judges are examining to see if you are skilled and versed enough to be entitled to teach all basic stitching skills to people.

Size of Mari base : No restriction in requirements but around circumference 25-40cm is appropriate.
Thread: recommended is pearl cotton #5(or similar), or thinner

One must submit three original Temari designs along with diagrams and verbal instructions, and at least five other original designs Temari photos and verbal instructions (diagrams not absolutely required). Three actual temari (along with the photos, verbals and diagrams) must be sent to JTA for exam. These temari are not returned, they become property of JTA to use for exhibition, example and charity, etc. 

When making temari for this level, think of showing all of the temari skills you have learned from Japanese books. Try to show many, many basic stitching patterns -  but, they should be shown on more intricate temari than what you stitch for L1 and L2.  (When making my temari for this level, I thought of the image of my temari in my mind first, and then thought which marking threads or additional marking threads I should use for it. I had to keep in my mind that my temari should not be same as in books, and they should not beginners temari. I should make some intermediate level ones and some advanced ones).

1. Temari designs should show your skill at intermediate level designs.
2. Use basic stitch patterns (star, tri-wing, Uwagake chidori, Shitagake chidori, etc.) to show your understanding of all basic methods, but they are not to be easy patterns or combinations.
3. Think about multipoles or hitohudegaki as one possibility. 
4.Think about submitting your instructions using fractional/ratio ways. We learn things this way for starting points and design placing, so that it works on all maris.

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Level 4: May only be applied for with at least another three years of study after Shihan (level 3) certification One must submit 6 original design temari, including photos, diagrams and verbal instructions. All six temari must be sent to JTA for exam, in addition to the photos, verbals and diagrams. The temari are not returned, they become property of the JTA for exhibition, example and charity, etc. 

Size of Mari base : No restriction in requirements but around circumference 25-40cm is appropriate.
Threads: Any kinds or sizes for your design.

It is  understood that this level is required to show advanced level temaris, stitched with great skill. So, try to make temari which beginners are not able to make (for example 482/many faces. Put very much attention into every aspect of stitching and making temari).

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Please note how to submit your materials to me for Levels 2-4:

=) For your written papers, please use Microsoft "WORD" (.doc file)  or Adobe PDF file (.pdf file). Please attach files to email to me; your work must be in a .doc of .pdf file, I cannot do translations from email content.
=) After you have signed up to apply for exam, please send me designs one by one as you complete them so they can be constantly worked on through winter; this is much better to complete by deadline. If you wait till close to deadline I may not be able to finish for everyone.
=) JTA requires to show instruction briefly. However, I need to have in detail the information listed below to understand 100% correctly what you are writing, so that translation is accurate. --> Your English papers are submitted along with my translations, so that JTA judges can see your actual work.

Include in all instructions: 

You do not need to write the basic things like how to do mark marking threads, or stitch basic patterns; just write, C8, S10, etc, or tri-wing, kiku, etc., but you need to explain about additional marking threads.


My e-mail address for JTA materials: jta@tentemari.com  or if you have a trouble with it, then please try to send to ainotemari@hotmail.com

For Level 3 and Level 4 applicants: Label each temari with your name and membership number. Please mail temari samples to me in time for them to be received by me by May 1. Be sure to package securely and follow postal requirements to prevent delay in mailing/delivery.  You may want to use special services mail (for example, Express) to have special handling, and tracking information. Please note that I cannot be responsible for lost packages, late delivery, or damages.


Expenses:   Please note that expenses cover not only translations work by me,  but also the processing expenses of  PayPal fees, postage, transmitting fee, document and photo printing, envelopes etc. to prepare everything for you, and send to JTA in Tokyo.

Required JTA Membership Fees:  (all members receive JTA Membership card each year)
JTA Entrance Fee (one time payment upon joining)
 2,000 yen
Annual Membership Fee (payable when you first apply to JTA and then each year by March 31)
Levels 1, 2, 3
 3,000 yen
Level 4
 5,000 yen

For New members: (after you have signed up to do JTA work that year):  On/around February 1, I will send you an application form and a PayPal invoice. This invoice is for your basic membership in the JTA which you must have to apply for licenses. This charge will be 6,000 yen. (2000yen for JTA entrance fee,  3,000yen for JTA annual membership fee, plus 1,000 yen for processing expenses:  PayPal fee & mailing for the first year (membership card, news, etc. ) )  When you receive the application form from me, please send the information back to me by e-mail as soon as possible, but by the latest date specified in the email which is usually 7 -10 days after sending. You do not have to attach the actual application with e-mail, you can write your answers in an e-mail to me.  At same time, please send me your fee, 6,000yen through my PayPal invoice.  I cannot process your application without both information and also expenses.

For Renewing Members - Expenses for renewing membership (annual membership fee) -from second year onward: I will send you PayPal invoice around middle/end of March. Levels 1, 2, 3: add 600 yen to the JTA membership fee; Level 4: add 700 yen: for expenses (this includes postage to  send you membership card & two (April & November) JTA news).

JTA News will be sent to you once a year (both April and November copies). You will be able to see JTA news in a web page until you get them by mail.

*** Remember that you must join as a JTA member, in addition to applying for certificate exams. Payments must be submitted via PayPal in Japanese Yen, so a PayPal account will be required. Please pay all fees using the invoice that I will send you at the proper times; please don't send payments to me without invoices. If you do not pay membership fee via PayPal invoices, your membership in JTA will be canceled. If you drop membership, and wish to rejoin at a later year, there is a 20,000Yen Reinstatement fee charged by JTA.





Examination Fees:   Beginning with 2008 applicants, I will charge all fees at the time when each applicant's translations are complete - not at the time of submitting to JTA in May, nor at the same time for everyone. It will depend on when your translations are complete, so please be prepared to submit payment when you receive invoice.
Required JTA Exam Fees
 Expenses/My translation fees:
 Totals:
Honka/Level 1
 4,000 yen 800 yen / 800 yen  (1,600)
 5,600 Y
Koutouka/Level 2
 6,000 yen
 1,200 yen / 4,200 yen (5,400)
 11,400 Y   
Honka & Koutouka
 10,000 yen
 1,400 yen /  5,000 yen (6,400)
 16,400 Y
Shihan/Level 3
 20,000 yen (3,000 charged at time of application, remainder due upon successful judging) 1,000 yen/ 5,800 yen at time of application(6,800); add 1,200 yen upon successful judging
28,000 Y
Kyoujyu/Level 4
 40,000 yen (6,000 charged at time of application, remainder due upon successful judging)
 1,100 yen/ 7,000 yen at time of application(8,100); add 4,000 yen upon successful judging
52,100 Y
Note - upon successful Kyoujyu judging, you also must increase your membership level in JTA; add 4,000 yen (2,000 to JTA for higher level and 2,000 for expenses)

** Please note: Payment for services and expenses is final, and there is no refund if you do not pass license judging with the JTA. If an applicant does not pass Level 3 or 4 in a given year, submitted payments are not carried over into future years for re-application; the process for each level begins again if the person applies again for judging. This applies to both JTA required fees and my translation/processing fees.

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= Schedule =
after signing up for any given year, so I know how many to plan on - watch websites for details for when to sign up.

New members: (Level 1, or Level 1 and 2) - As soon as JTA memberships are processed (around February), you can being sending exam submissions to me. Deadline is  May 10th.

Levels 2, 3, 4 - You can begin to send materials to me from the beginning of September, and I will appreciate it to send me your submissions by the end of January of next year. But - final deadline is around May 10th (waiting till deadline may mean we cannot finish in that year).


Thank you
Ai


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Last updated 09/2007