In Japan, you can get gifts wrapped with ornate detail at a Japanese department store . But you can also achieve this look at home with furoshiki wrapping . It’s important to note that this Japanese wrapping cloth (furoshiki) comes precut in various sizes. Here's how you can recreate this Japanese gift-wrapping style at home for different items. What Materials Do You Need? The word furoshiki doesn’t solely connote the meaning of a Japanese wrapping cloth; it also plays a role in Japanese language expressions and is connected to idioms. For example, the term 大風呂敷を広げる( ofuroshiki o hirogeru, to spread a furoshiki wide)signified exaggeration or boasting and carries a somewhat negative connotation. While the term has an old-fashioned feel and is rarely used in casual conversation in recent years, it’s intriguing to see how language and traditional material culture are intertwined.

Folding isn’t as important as making sure the gift is actually secure. 3. Narrow the sides that will be tied up While the fabric originally used in furoshiki and also bojagi—the Korean cloth wrapping tradition— can represent a lot of labour to manufacture, the spirit of both is to use what you have and respect the workmanship and usefulness of fabric. I tried it out—here’s how. 1. Get a big square cloth

Furoshiki Wrapping Cloths We Love

At first, I was worried about wrapping the gift in the correct, traditional way. But Hasui reassured me that the most important part is “learning how to make a square knot—called ma-musubi in Japanese—because it’s not safe when you carry objects if it’s tied in a different way.” As I try new zero-waste substitutions, I appreciate the things I use more. I’m more hesitant about buying things I don’t need or will throw away. My individual choices may not save the planet, but for there to be enough pressure on governments to legislate reductions in carbon emissions, and companies to reduce their output, it will take massive cultural change that everyone contributes to. Besides being used as a gift box, many people use furoshiki to carry everyday items. Depending on how you fold the fabric, you can use furoshiki to make a handbag. You can also use it to carry and protect fragile goods, like a glass vase. Wall Décor Many fabric sizes are available for this important cultural ritual, from a few inches in length and width to a few feet. However, two main sizes are typically used in furoshiki fabric wrapping: 17 x 17 inches and 28 x 28 inches.

Many people compare origami and furoshiki as they share multiple similarities. However, they are different, as furoshiki is primarily used in Japanese gift wrapping now. In comparison, origami has shifted from its initial purpose as Japanese paper wrapping for religious or ceremonial events to purely decorative purposes.

Perhaps you have extra pieces of fabric you did not use for this ancient art of wrapping presents. Or, maybe you received a Christmas gift that was wrapped furoshiki-style instead of with gift wrapping paper and tape. If that’s the case, you can reuse furoshiki in the following ways (which are also common furoshiki uses in Japan). Transporting a Bento Box I can wrap up my morning jar of tea and keep it hot. Or I can wrap up my summer comforter for storage, so the cat sleeping on it won’t mean an annoying round of washing next spring. I like to wrap my lunch boxes to prevent spills inside my bag, a disaster that has occurred dozens of times. Place the item in the middle of the fabric (same alignment as above). Wrap the closest corner over the item. Like yuzen dyeing, it’s a technique that allows for the use of multiple separate colours on the same cloth. This produces intricate patterns or scenes that appear to be hand-painted. Zero-waste cloth wrapping today

Caring for your furoshiki is generally straightforward, but it’s essential to adapt your approach to the textile it’s made from. Cotton furoshiki is the easiest to maintain; you can simply toss them into the washing machine and hang them dry for the best results. For more vibrant designs, like this Seasons Furoshiki designed by Keisuke Seizawa (1895-1984), a renowned Japanese textile designer, it’s advisable to wash them separately from contrasting colors and avoid using a tumble dryer. This will help preserve the vivid design of the furoshiki and protect it from wear and tear. These techniques were intentionally developed to use folds without cutting the material or using double-sided tape

Is it easier than using wrapping paper?

Also used for square objects, this method helps create the perfect gift. It's also known as the hidden knot technique. Continue reading to learn about the art of furoshiki cloth wrapping, a beautiful gift-wrapping style (and cloth) in Japanese culture and Japanese art. How to Wrap Your Gifts Furoshiki Style