What is Furoshiki and how can you use it?

Have you heard about Furoshiki but you don’t know what it is exactly and how to use it? Here is an article to solve your questions. To start with, Furoshiki is a squared shaped cloth. It’s a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth to wrap things in many ways. Find out the history and how you can use it!

How it started in Japan

Furoshiki is written 風呂敷 in Japanese. The first two letters are read Furo and it means bath. The third letter ‘shiki’ means ‘to place’. During the Muromachi era (1336 – 1573), the bath in those days was a steam bath and they used to put a cloth on the floor. The shape of this cloth and material was similar to the ones of Furoshiki. That’s how Furoshiki was named.

How it developed in Japan

During Edo period (1603 – 1868) people who didn’t have bathrooms in their house used to go to take a bath outside. It is called 銭湯 Sentou and it still exists in Japan. They wrapped the things that they use for the bath in Furoshiki.

In Meiji era (1868 – 1912), people were using Furoshiki to wrap other things and it was used as Today’s bags and Furoshiki was an essential item at that time.

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A biggest enemy – bag dominates

Machineries were introduced from abroad and it was a peak of Furoshiki production between 1945 and 1955.

However, the bags were introduced and people started to use bags more than Furoshiki after 1965.

How to use it

It was always on the decline because of modern lifestyle with plastic intrusion, but they have been making comeback in recent years in Japan. It is sustainable and ecological!

Furoshiki still exists in Japanese culture as well. When we gift money in money envelopes, we wrap the envelope with Furoshiki.

We also wrap our Bentobox with Furoshiki. We bind and wrap a Bento box together with chopsticks. It also protects Bentobox from damages and scratches.

I was watching a Japanese TV series ‘私たちはどうかしている Something is wrong with us‘ and there were some scenes that Furoshiki were featured. I remember the main actress was carrying her Wagashi (Japanese sweets) tools with Furoshiki.

It’s colourful, fun and so pretty

Some Furoshiki have a print of famous art or Kawaii drawing, so you can hang it on the wall to decorate your room!
Others have some Japanese patterns which are simple but colourful and appealing. You can add a bit of Wa (Japanese) to your home by simply wrapping a tissue box for example.
You can also wrap a gift with it as a reusable wrapping cloth – eco-friendly!
Choose your favorite pattern and make a bag with Furoshiki!

Check out more ways of wrapping from here.