Furoshiki stands both for the Japanese tradition of artfully wrapping items in a piece of cloth, and for the cloth itself.

The minimalist, versatile, multi-functional, and environmentally friendly technique has traditionally been used for over a thousand years to wrap and transport food, gifts, and other items. While bags are restricted in their spatial capacities, furoshiki can be adapted to the exact shape of the objects to be carried and easily turned into a no-sew handbag. Apart from transporting everyday necessities, furoshiki has also become a modern alternative to gift-wrapping. It is ideal for wrapping dry goods.

With the introduction of plastic bags in Japan, the use of furoshiki declined substantially. Along with environmental awareness, the practice has increased again, and is even promoted by the Japanese ministry of the environment including instructions for the different wrapping patterns that each have their own distinctive name.

Apart from specially designed fabrics, any cloth of a certain size can be used and re-used.

Learn how to wrap a gift here

• Material : cloth / fabrics

• Usage : wrapping / packaging / transporting

• Cost : low / variable

• Traditional Purpose : packaging / wrapping / transporting

• Life-Cycle: multi-use / re-usable

• Durability : high / variable

• Shelf-life : unlimited

• Status : In-Use

• Food Safe : yes, depending on the material

• Energy Usage : variable

• Production Effort : variable

• Region(s) of Origin : Japan