Furoshiki

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Furoshiki (2007) as wrapping for gifts

A furoshiki design by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

Furoshiki (風呂敷) are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth traditionally used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. It began to be used in the mid-Nara Era, in traditional Japanese baths (Onsen), to not confuse or mix the clothes. So they use the Furoshiki and let their clothes above it. Over the time it began to spread and to be used by traders to protect their goods or their gifts.

Currently Furoshikis are made of different fabrics, including silk, cotton, rayon and nylon. And though this art remains popular in Japan, its use has declined due today high demand for plastic bags.

In recent years the Japanese Environment Ministry has been organizing several campaigns to promote the use of Furoshiki again, to ensure environment protection in Japan and worldwide.

Origin

Although possibly dating back as far as the Nara period, the name, meaning "bath spread", derives from the Edo period practice of using them to bundle clothes while at the sentō (public baths;public furo). Before becoming associated with public baths, furoshiki were known as hirazutsumi (平包), or flat folded bundle. Eventually, the furoshiki’s usage extended to serve as a means for merchants to transport their wares or to protect and decorate a gift.

Modern use

Modern furoshiki can be made of a variety of cloths, including silk, chirimen, cotton, rayon, and nylon. Furoshiki are often decorated with traditional designs or by shibori. There is no one set size for furoshiki, they can range from hand sized to larger than bed-sheets. The most common sizes are 45 cm (17.7 inch) and 68–72 cm (26.7-28.3 inch).

Two homemade bentos with furoshiki wrappings

Although there are still furoshiki users in Japan, their numbers declined in the post-war period, in large part due to the proliferation of the plastic shopping bag. In recent years, it has seen a renewed interest as environmental protection became a concern. Furoshiki are, however, commonly used to wrap and transport lunch boxes (bento) and often double as a table mat for the lunch.

On March 6, 2006, the Japanese Minister of the Environment, Yuriko Koike, created a furoshiki cloth to promote its use in the modern world.^[1]

In Argentina

Furoshiki Argentina ^[2] promotes the use of furoshiki in Argentina and Latin America through the investigation of techniques and ways to adapt to Argentine customs. The organization has open classes monthly for interested citizens so they can begin using Furoshiki. So far they have trained a large number of people.

Historical example

There is a personal map printed on cloth captured from a Japanese soldier. The map was obtained by an Australian soldier, E J Knight, from a Japanese soldier captured on South Bougainville of the Bougainville Campaign in 1945. It is a synthetic fabric furoshiki, a wrapping cloth used to carry personal items. Cloth is printed in blue, grey, brown, mauve and orange with a map of South East Asia, and with an aeroplane, a ship and a printed patriotic marching song. The song translates as

"Both in defence and offence, we can depend on our floating castle of black steel (i.e. Japan). We must defend to the end all sides of the Japanese empire, which is our floating castle."

There is also a short hand written poem indicating that Tsuchiya is the writer's third son to enlist, "I have seen my sons leave for the battlefields three times on a fine day of play". Also on the cloth is "To Tsuchiya Akira from all the staff of the Minenobu office."^[3]

Wine bottle with furoshiki wrapping

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Furoshiki.

Furoshiki
Furoshiki Argentina
Some common furoshiki folding patterns
DIY Life's feature on furoshiki
Youtube: Kakefuda, Kyoto (Another tutorial videoclip).

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