Back in the days when plastic and paper were not available in excess Japanese used a square wrapping cloth called Furoshiki. As we rediscover it’s advantages we rediscover a sustainable way of life. Modern Furoshiki converts the traditional Furoshiki to your lifestyle by using modern designs and showing you ways of using it.

• Gift wrap
• Shopping bag
• Stylish purse
• Scarf or other fashion accessory
• Storing articles
• Quick home makeover
• Tablecloth
• Picnic cloth

History and tradition

The oldest japanese wrappingcloth we know is from the 8th century. The name furoshiki meaning „bathspread” dates to the 17th century when public bathhouses became wildly popular. People used the furoshiki to carry their belongings and to spread it out on the floor as a mat. It became an indispensable tool in the life of the working class to wrap just about anything. Merchants used to carry their goods to the market in the furoshiki, then lay them out on the furoshiki to sell. Gifts for special events were also presented in decorative furoshiki. After the 2nd World War by the growth of foreign influences the custom of using furoshiki faded and was replaced by disposable plastic bags and paper wraps. Happily Furoshiki has recently been getting more and more attention because of todays enviromental concerns. Even today, in Japan the wrapping is as important as the gift. Just to show you how complex the tradition is, here are some things to keep in mind: It is considered impolite to offer a gift directly by hand. Money is first put in an envelope and than wrapped in a small furoshiki. The design of the furoshiki is chosen to suit the occasion. The left end of the furoshiki is folded first of happy occasions, while the right end is folded first for unhappy events.

The big question: Give it ot keep it?

Traditionally it is considered good manners to unwrap and present the gift, and keep the furoshiki. Today most people confess that it’s so nice to receive a furoshiki but very hard to give away again. Chizuko Morita, author or the popular book Gift Wrapping with Textiles suggests „to give the furoshiki or piece of fabric as part of the gift. The recipient can then reuse the cloth, and so the cycle continues: a piece of cloth used over and over again, a cultural and emotional connection from one person to the next.”