Home > Kyoto This Month > Wrap it Up with Furoshiki!


Wrap it Up with Furoshiki!
Ecological and fashionable wrapping cloth


The Japanese are famous for the skill and beauty with which they wrap even the most ordinary objects. Until about 40 years ago, the furoshiki, a simple piece of cloth, played a starring role in this realm. People used this square of fabric to carry things, instead of the suit cases, handbags, brief cases and plastic supermarket bags we use today.

By folding, twisting and knotting it in a variety of styles, the same furoshiki, on different occasions, could become the ideal carrying case for a watermelon, a rectangular box, or a pair of sake bottles. This of course meant that the user had a higher level of participation in the process: a shopping bag is simply an object to be filled with merchandise while a furoshiki is an object to be transformed according to its function. It is this more active use of the hands and imagination that is valued by those hoping to preserve this folkway.

Striking a more contemporary note, a case for furoshiki use as a way of supporting ecology: shopping with a carrying cloth makes plastic and paper bags unnecessary. Because their designs are so appealing many people now use furoshiki as accessories such as scarves and hair bands. In home interiors they function as decorative wall hangings, table cloths and covers for computers. The smaller lunch box cloths are used by Western people as table napkins.


Learn and enjoy furoshiki at Karakusaya


If you feel like getting a furoshiki (or two) for yourself, visit Karakusaya. They have over 600 different furoshiki variations and of which only the best is displayed each season. From the totally traditional to the strikingly modern, the patterns and colors of these textiles will delight and definitely tempt your eyes.

The shop manager, Ms. Otsuka can explain in English how to use furoshiki (there are so many wrapping and folding technigques!). "I want people to think of this shop, Karakusaya, as a furoshiki information center!", Ms. Otsuka says. Who quickly takes an object-a bottle, a box or an antique-and magically wraps or folds a furoshiki around and voila! the transformation. "People have in the past and now used furoshiki to wrap everything: lunch boxes, bottle of sakes, art, futons, clothes, picnics, etc. We can use furoshiki as we feel and it is so much fun! Experience the freedom of contemplation and decoration with just the right furoshiki and wrap style."

If you are interested in seeing how to wrap with furoshiki or can't visit Karakusaya, visit the Kyoto Foodie website where you can watch a movie in which you will learn how to wrap simple things with a furoshiki: http://kyotofoodie.com/kyoto-furoshiki-karakusaya/

Karakusaya is located on the west side of Fuyacho, north of Oike; Open: 10:00-18:00, closed Wed. & Thurs.; Tel: 212-5540; www.karakusaya.com