The Japanese art of furoshiki is a very simple yet creative way of gift wrapping which is so beautiful that it’s becoming popular in others cultures. The furoshiki method is not only chic and elegant, it’s also environmentally friendly! 

What is Furoshiki?

So what exactly is Furoshiki? It’s a square piece of coloured or patterned fabric (the size of cloth relates to the size of gift) which is traditionally used for gift wrapping and transporting items in Japan. Furoshiki fabric is knotted to enclose the item, requiring no further string, ribbon or tape to hold the package together. The word ‘furoshiki’ actually refers both to the cloth and the art of folding it. The cloth is often made from a luxurious fabric which often has an elegant, decorative design. It can be used to wrap all kinds of items of different shapes such as wine bottles. After the gift has been opened the fabric is traditionally returned to the owner.

 History of Furoshiki

It’s believed that the origins of furoshiki date back thousands of years, perhaps first used in the Nara period (710–794) as a way for merchants to protect valuable goods during transportation. For centuries, public baths in Japan have been an important part of Japanese culture. Throughout history people would wrap everything they needed for bathing in a big, square cloth which they would spread out on the changing room floor to stand on while dressing and undressing. The literal translation of the word is furo meaning “bath” and shiki meaning “something to spread out.” Over time this method of transporting items became increasingly popular and the custom spread to transporting other items such as books, gifts and food. Today, furoshiki is commonly used by Japanese school children to carry their bento boxes.  

What do you need for Furoshiki?

All you need is a gift and a piece of fabric! The only requirement is that the cloth should be square. A reversible pattern is best and the fabric should be thick enough to hold contents but not too thick that it will be difficult to tie. There are a variety of folding styles for different shaped gifts all of which are relatively easy… the photo above is one I did myself! 

Although I think it’s great that furoshiki is environmentally friendly, what I also really love is that it reflects the Japanese philosophy that the value of the gift is less important than the act of giving. The Japanese culture of gift giving is that even a small gift can be heartfelt, original, can convey thoughtfulness and doesn’t have to be costly. In Japan, many people feel embarrassed giving and receiving expensive gifts. The art is in the giving, not just the gift itself.  

Here’s a link to 14 of the most popular styles —by the Japanese Department of Environment… https://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html

Julia Esteve

The Etiquette Consultant