At the many markets I’ve attended, one question has always come up: what’s a Furoshiki? You’ve already got to be able to pronounce it….
This name is not yet familiar in France.
Here’s a new article to shed some light on this Japanese gift-wrapping technique.
In Japan, furoshiki is theart of wrapping objects, whether as gifts or for transport.
Like many things made by the Japanese, it is pushed to perfection and precision.
A little history
The origins of furoshiki
Furoshiki originates from a Japanese tradition that goes back over 1200 years.
Originally used to wrap valuables, the technique first appeared during the Nara era in the 8th century.
They enabled noble families to elegantly store their precious possessions.
The term “Furoshiki” appeared in the Edo era, literally meaning “bath spread”.
It was used in public baths to protect clothes, such as kimonos, and prevent them from getting mixed up.
Furoshiki first became popular during the Meiji era in the 19th century.
It was then used by merchants to wrap objects to protect them, but also to decorate them.
Its use then spread to the general public to carry their belongings or protect their bento, for example.
Furoshiki today
In the mid-20th century, this traditional fabric packaging was gradually replaced by cheaper plastic or paper bags.
For some years now, Furoshiki has been making a strong comeback, and is becoming better known in the rest of the world.
The Japanese government is attempting to revive this traditional technique to reduce its environmental footprint by combating the over-consumption of plastic bags.
What Furoshiki is used for
Benefits of Furoshiki
Furoshiki has many advantages: it’s used to wrap gifts and avoids the use of paper, which often ends up in the garbage can immediately after use.
This fabric can be used on a daily basis to protect your bento or lunch box, and even to wrap your belongings.
With its many possible combinations, this folding makes it possible to carry bread or a bottle of wine, as you can see in this photo.
Furoshiki patterns
By choosing a colorful or patterned fabric, you can personalize your gift and make it unique.
The colors and patterns of the furoshiki used for gift-giving vary according to the occasion, the season and the person to whom the present is given.
Shades such as red, gold, light green and light blue are intended for happy occasions, while darker tones are more appropriate for sad occasions, where bright colors are to be avoided.
Furoshiki will be the ideal ally for your Christmas gifts, a symbol of eco-responsible, zero-waste value.
What form does Furoshiki take?
Originally, furoshiki was rectangular in shape, used to wrap kimonos, and each model was unique.
Nowadays, the square format has become the most common.
This versatile shape makes it easier to create folds and wrap objects.
The wide range of folding techniques makes it possible to wrap all types and shapes of objects.
After giving a gift, you can also reuse the fabric to decorate multiple objects, as shown in the photo.
I used my fabric to wrap a box of tissues with a pretty printed fabric.
What sizes are Furoshikis?
Most Furoshiki measure between 50 and 75 cm square, making them ideal for wrapping most gifts.
Square models measuring one meter on a side are also available for bulky gifts such as board games.
To estimate the size of wrapping you need for your gift, simply multiply the longest dimension of your object by three.
This simplifies packing.
Different sizes of Furoshikis
- Small (50 x 50 cm) for pocket books, jewelry or perfume.
- Medium (75 x 75 cm) for gifts such as clothing, books, comics, bottles and chocolate boxes.
- Large (100 x 100 cm) for bulky items such as board games, shoes, game consoles, etc.
How to fold a Furoshiki
Now you’re ready to embark on the
adventure… so let your inner creativity.
If you need a helping hand to get started, Japan’s Ministry of the Environment has you covered.
It has published a table of the main folding techniques.
Furoshiki guide
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Otsukai Tsutsumi: “basic packaging” –
Yotsu Musubi: “4 knot packaging” – Suika Tsutsumi: “packaging for transporting melons” – Suika Tsutsumi: “packaging for transporting melons
Suika Tsutsumi: “the packaging for transporting melons” –
Katake Fukuro: “bag packaging” – “Entou Tsutsumi
Entou Tsutsumi: “wrapping long objects” – Hira Tsutsumi : “wrapping long objects
Hira Tsutsumi: “packaging flat objects” – Tesage Bukuro : “packaging long objects
Tesage Bukuro: “handbag packaging” – Kousa Tsutsumi : “long object packaging
Kousa Tsutsumi: “packaging of fine objects” – Hon Tsutsumi : “packaging of long objects
Hon Tsutsumi: “packaging for 2 books” –
Futatsu Tsutsumi: “wrapping with 2 knots” – KakushiTsutsumi: “wrapping for 2 books
Kakushi Tsutsumi: “hidden knot wrapping” – Bin Tsutsumi 1: “1-bottle packaging” – Bin Tsutsumi 2: “2-bottle packaging” – Sao Tsutsumi: “padded packaging” Find all the different Furoshiki foldings on the Japanese website here. Don’t worry, the table shows step-by-step instructions in the form of drawings.
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