Furoshiki - Elegant Packaging for Every Occasion

These square cloths from Japan are practical and wonderfully versatile. Furoshiki can be used perfectly as a wrap, carry bag, or accessory, and are highly customizable. Especially during the Christmas season, Japanese cloths offer a high-quality and environmentally friendly alternative to regular gift wrapping. Give your next gift a personal, creative touch with Furoshiki wrapping. Learn how to fold it with guaranteed success and enjoyment.

Furo means "bath", and shiki stands for "spread" – this refers to the fact that Furoshiki were originally used in public Japanese bathhouses. Visitors stored their clothing in them. Initially, they primarily served the nobility for storing precious items. Although not as widespread today as during the Edo period, Furoshiki can be found almost anywhere: as a handbag or gift wrap, they fulfill their original purpose but are also commonly worn as a scarf or used as a table decoration. These compact, foldable cloths are made from cotton, silk, or synthetic fabrics.

Furoshiki comes in various sizes and patterns. Small Furoshiki cloths can measure as small as 45 x 45 cm, while larger ones can be as big as 200 x 200 cm. Edge lengths up to 50 cm are suitable for small objects, up to 75 cm are perfect for gift wrapping. Larger Furoshiki are commonly used as shopping bags, and cloths up to 230 cm can even serve as bed covers and furniture covers for moving.

Gifts are very important in Japan's complex social system: A gift can signify the transition from acquaintance to friendship and express gratitude to a host. On special occasions like Ochūgen in July, people give gifts to their loved ones, friends, and colleagues, similar to Christmas in Western cultures. It's clear that packaging plays a role – an unwrapped gift is considered impolite. On the contrary, high-quality wrapping symbolizes appreciation towards the recipient. Especially valuable gifts are wrapped in Furoshiki. Because this cloth protects its content, it enhances the symbolic value of the gift.

But not only people, also the environment is appreciated with Furoshiki. In 2006, Japanese Environment Minister Yuriko Koike designed her own Furoshiki cloth made from recycled PET bottles called Mottainai Furoshiki – mottainai means "not to waste". It aimed to encourage reducing plastic consumption and turning to sustainable products. In Japan, where waste is traditionally frowned upon, Furoshiki offers a way to avoid unnecessary possessions and waste – because Furoshiki are versatile and long-lasting.

Furoshiki has been used in Japan for over 1200 years – accordingly, the art of wrapping, called Tsutsumi, has also developed. Learning it is not difficult at all and is definitely worthwhile, especially when the recipients marvel at the lovingly wrapped presents.

With this simple folding technique, you can create an additional, beautiful, and practical gift:

Spread the Furoshiki cloth and, if the pattern is only on one side, place it with the patterned side down in front of you. Take two opposite corners and double knot them in the middle. Make sure to knot left over right first, then right over left, to create a stable and aesthetically pleasing square knot. Then do the same with the remaining two corners and make a second square knot over the first. Puff up the knot and ends a bit for a better effect. That's how easy it is to wrap your gift with Furoshiki!

Furoshiki "Hana" »

For a sophisticated, portable solution, place the cloth in a way that one corner is facing towards you. Position the gift in the upper half of the cloth and fold the corner closest to you completely over the gift. Tuck the protruding part of the cloth underneath, covering the gift from below. Then take the left and right corners and double knot them securely in the middle above the gift. To create a sturdy carrying handle, twist the ends as far as possible around their own axis and tie another square knot at the top. Simply tuck the protruding corner of the cloth under the handle. Done!

Gift Set Chiyogami with Furoshiki "Nami" »

For larger gifts, we recommend the following technique: Lay the cloth down again with one corner facing you and place the gift in the center of the cloth. Now take the corner closest to you and the opposite corner, and fold them over each other in the middle. Then take the corner pointing to the right and double knot it with the right corner of the Furoshiki cloth. Repeat this with the two left corners. Your gift is securely wrapped.

Not only rectangular objects – even round and elongated shapes can be easily wrapped with Furoshiki. Here, we present these two variations:

Since in Japan, especially during New Year's, Oseibo, fruits such as melons or even entire fruit baskets are commonly gifted, they also need to be wrapped. For this, place the object in the center of the cloth and double knot two opposite corners in the middle in a cross knot over the object. Wrap the remaining ends in different directions around the object – one clockwise, the other counterclockwise. Then, knot them together under the first knot – done!

If you want to wrap a bottle, place it in the center of the cloth and double knot two opposite corners over the bottle. Twist the two resulting tips as far as possible around their own axis and double knot them at the top to create a small handle. Twist the remaining two corners in different directions around the bottle and then make a cross knot. Your bottle is now ready for gifting.

Furoshiki "Isamari" »

Many things were transported with Furoshiki in the past – and you can also turn it into a unique handbag in just a few minutes. Furoshiki with a side length of around 100 cm work best for this.

For this, lay the Furoshiki cloth unfolded with the patterned side down in front of you as usual and fold it into a triangle with two opposite corners. Place the triangle so that the tip points away from you. Take the left corner and fold it towards the middle tip – about halfway, creating a "tail". Knot it once around your left hand. The hand is crucial for a neater knot. Do the same with the right corner.

Now let's focus on the tip: Fold the upper half of the cloth towards you and flip the Furoshiki cloth by grabbing it in the middle. Turn it over so that the knots are on the inside, and you can grab the cloth at the two corners. Twist them a bit around their own axis and double knot them at the top – first left over right, then right over left. Your Furoshiki bag is ready!