The Art of Furoshiki: A Beginner's Guide

You might have heard of origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, but have you come across its lesser-known cousin, furoshiki? Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese cloth-folding technique that allows you to wrap objects of various shapes and sizes.

‍

It's also a sustainable way to wrap your gifts during the holiday season, eliminating the need for paper, tape, scissors, or ribbon.

‍

What is Furoshiki?

‍

Furoshiki, which literally means "bath sheet," has a fascinating history. Back when public baths were the norm in Japan, people used furoshiki as a multipurpose cloth. They'd stand on it while changing, wrap their clothes in it while bathing, and use it to carry their toiletries.

‍

Over time, furoshiki evolved beyond the bathhouse. Now, it's a versatile tool for carrying everyday items, transporting food, and wrapping gifts. This simple cloth has transformed from a bath accessory to a practical, sustainable solution for modern life.

‍

The wrapping technique is very similar to paper wrapping but instead of using scotch tape and plastic ribbon, you use the fabric ends to tie a knot at the top.

‍

The giftee can reuse it to wrap another gift, create a makeshift tote bag, or a good-looking and discreet way to carry wine.

‍

{{cta-join2}}

‍

Basic Techniques of Furoshiki

‍

Here's a quick rundown of the basic furoshiki technique:

‍

• Place your gift box in the middle of a diamond-shaped cloth.
• Fold the bottom corner over the top and tuck it under.
• Bring the top corner down, then fold the bottom corner back up to show the reversible side. Pinch and pull the right and left sides tight over the edges.
• Finally, tie the ends using the ma-musubi knot (a square knot) and finish with a simple bow. This method creates a neat, sustainable gift wrap that's both stylish and reusable.

‍

Here's a video tutorial explaining the same technique. You can explore other furoshiki methods here. If videos aren't your preferred learning style, the Minister of the Environment has released this PDF with helpful diagrams on how to fold various objects.

‍

You can buy furoshiki cloths on sites like Etsy, but why not be even more sustainable? Grab some old clothes or fabric scraps and turn them into your own furoshiki wraps. It's a great way to upcycle and embrace the true spirit of this sustainable practice.

‍