Furoshiki, Japanese wrapping cloth, is more than just a piece of fabric—it is a traditional, elegant accessory that adds a unique touch to gifts and travel. Today it is also gaining popularity as an eco-friendly way to ditch single-use wrapping paper. In our beginner’s guide to furoshiki, you’ll learn everything you need to know about these beautiful cloths, including some simple wrapping instructions.
Originating during the Nara period (710–794 CE) in Japan, furoshiki was initially used to bundle clothing and personal effects at public bathhouses. Even the word itself, furoshiki, reflects this origin, literally bath (furo) spread/sheet (shiki). As centuries passed, furoshiki gained prominence beyond bathhouses, becoming a staple in everyday life. The fabric was used for carrying goods, storing items, and even as a showcase for Japanese textile artistry. Today, furoshiki is an artform all its own, celebrated for its versatility, functionality, and beauty.
Modern furoshiki fabrics come in a variety of sizes, materials, and designs, making them accessible and adaptable to a range of purposes. While some are adorned with traditional Japanese motifs such as sakura blossoms, waves, or cranes, others embrace contemporary design aesthetics. Such versatility has ensured furoshiki endure as both a cultural emblem and a practical tool for daily life.
The Wrapping You Don’t Throw Away
Unlike conventional gift wraps that pile up in the trash year after year, furoshiki offers an eco-friendly alternative that is as functional as it is beautiful. By using a single piece of fabric to wrap gifts, carry groceries, or protect items, you contribute to reducing waste and embracing sustainable living.
The best part about furoshiki is its reusability: after giving a gift, the furoshiki is traditionally returned to the gift giver to use again. But, it can also be gifted to someone along with its contents. After serving its purpose as a wrapping, it can also be repurposed as a scarf, a bag, or even home décor. The fabric’s durability ensures that it can be used repeatedly, making it a practical choice for anyone aiming to reduce their environmental footprint.
This sustainability aspect aligns with the modern push towards conscious consumption and minimalism. For the truly eco-conscious, furoshiki can be crafted from recycled fabrics around the home, and even old clothes or blankets.
A Beginner’s Guide to Furoshiki Tying Techniques
Here’s how to get started with some fundamental furoshiki wraps:
- Basic Wrap (Otsukai Tsutsumi):
- Place the item in the center of the fabric diagonally.
- Fold two opposite corners over the item, ensuring they overlap.
- Tie the remaining two corners into a secure knot.
- Bottle Wrap (Bin Tsutsumi):
- Lay the fabric flat and place the bottle vertically in the center.
- Bring two opposite corners together and tie them tightly around the neck of the bottle.
- Take the other two corners, wrap them around the bottle’s base, and tie a second knot.
Advanced techniques include the two-bottle carry wrap for transporting multiple items or the padding carry wrap for delicate gifts. These methods not only enhance the presentation but also add a layer of creativity to your wrapping skills.
Furoshiki from Still Sitting
We are pleased to offer a beautiful selection of furoshiki, all of which are made in Japan. Our furoshiki depict famous prints from timeless Japanese artists. We offer two by Katsushika Hokusai – Under the Wave off Kanagawa, and Mt. Fuji; and one by Utagawa Hiroshige – Evening Snow at Kanbara.
These furoshiki are vibrant and colorful, making for a nice wall hanging, in addition to its other functions.
A note on our research and sources
Thank you for reading our beginner’s guide to furoshiki. Still Sitting is committed to writing and researching informative, engrossing, and accurate articles for our blog. We know there are many places to find information online. So, we work hard to ensure that we are a trusted source for all of our readers. Our blog is intended to help you learn about our products and the cultural and historical subjects that we hold dear. As part of this commitment, we include the sources we use to write our posts:
The New York Times on Furoshiki
NPR: Furoshiki as an eco-friendly gift wrapping
Japanese furoshiki wrapping diagram
More from Still Sitting: A Brief History of Green Tea and The History of Japanese Lacquerware
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Furoshiki$44.00
