All you need for the below Japanese gift-wrapping techniques is a piece (or more for more items) of furoshiki. This fabric must be a square shape (like origami paper). Then, you'll fold the correct size of furoshiki using different folding styles depending on the object's shape and size. What Sizes of Furoshiki Fabric are Available? Yuzen Washi also known as Japanese Chiyogami Paper is a type of traditional Japanese decorative paper. Its beautiful and vibrant patterns are inspired by nature throughout the seasons and have their roots in Kimono patterns. Its ability to be thin yet long lasting is achieved by mixing long fibres, making it a more durable alternative to standard wrapping paper, whilst still maintaining flexibility and a soft touch. It is often used as a crafting material, bookbinding, endpapers, parts of the home interior like origami modules, box making, collage, wedding party invitations and a variety of other art forms around the world. These techniques were intentionally developed to use folds without cutting the material or using double-sided tape Furoshiki , translating to "bath spread", is a style of Japanese gift wrapping that originated from necessity. In the Edo period, furoshiki wrapping was used to protect important goods in the home or during transport. Gift giving in Japan has a lot of significance, from celebrating birthday milestones to house-warming presents. Furoshiki wrapping is another meaningful way to deliver a present to your loved ones. This is one of the most beautiful Japanese gift-wrapping techniques that's still in use and one that you can incorporate for the holidays as an eco-friendly option.

In Japan, you can get gifts wrapped with ornate detail at a Japanese department store . But you can also achieve this look at home with furoshiki wrapping . It’s important to note that this Japanese wrapping cloth (furoshiki) comes precut in various sizes. Here's how you can recreate this Japanese gift-wrapping style at home for different items. What Materials Do You Need? The moment I knew for sure that Santa wasn’t real was when I was nine, and I heard the squeaking sound of my mom running out of tape, wrapping presents late into the night. Thankfully, you can avoid this telltale holiday reveal with a beautiful wrapping tradition.Besides being used as a gift box, many people use furoshiki to carry everyday items. Depending on how you fold the fabric, you can use furoshiki to make a handbag. You can also use it to carry and protect fragile goods, like a glass vase. Wall Décor Many people compare origami and furoshiki as they share multiple similarities. However, they are different, as furoshiki is primarily used in Japanese gift wrapping now. In comparison, origami has shifted from its initial purpose as Japanese paper wrapping for religious or ceremonial events to purely decorative purposes. Folding isn’t as important as making sure the gift is actually secure. 3. Narrow the sides that will be tied up Continue reading to learn about the art of furoshiki cloth wrapping, a beautiful gift-wrapping style (and cloth) in Japanese culture and Japanese art. How to Wrap Your Gifts Furoshiki Style

Calgary shop Nanao Kimono has a huge range of furoshiki cloth sizes—all the way up to a whopping 1-m square, appropriately adorned with the world’s largest animal, the blue whale. Printed on organic cotton and designed by local artists, these cloths are available in both 50-cm and 90-cm squares. We’re partial to this breezy bicycle print!

Traditional furoshiki

Olsen+Olsen sell made-in-Canada furoshiki cloths in both 50-cm and 90-cm squares, so you can wrap small and and large gifts in a variety of styles and colours—including this gorgeous reversible number. Since this Japanese gift cloth is made with a detailed pattern and aesthetically pleasing fabric, you can hang it on your wall as a piece of art. You can hang it as-is or find a frame that fits the size of your furoshiki. Try Gifting these Items with Furoshiki Furoshiki serves as a versatile medium for personal expression. It’s not uncommon for people to use these fabric wraps as a canvas to display their favorite characters, brands, colors, and hobbies. The intricate designs often reflect personal interests, be it a beloved character from Japanese pop culture, a preferred color scheme or design, or even a favorite sports team logo. Furoshiki’s most common application, bento wrapping, offers a subtle yet creative way to infuse daily life with personal style. It’s a way to carry a bit of your uniqueness wherever you go, a style and understated form of self-expression. The word furoshiki doesn’t solely connote the meaning of a Japanese wrapping cloth; it also plays a role in Japanese language expressions and is connected to idioms. For example, the term 大風呂敷を広げる( ofuroshiki o hirogeru, to spread a furoshiki wide)signified exaggeration or boasting and carries a somewhat negative connotation. While the term has an old-fashioned feel and is rarely used in casual conversation in recent years, it’s intriguing to see how language and traditional material culture are intertwined. Also used for square objects, this method helps create the perfect gift. It's also known as the hidden knot technique.

If you’ve ever made a paper airplane, the principle is the same. Bring the edges of each side towards the centre, to make them more like little handles. Ideally the edges of each side will meet in the middle, in a line pointing to the corners of each side. The fabric will move; don’t worry if these shapes won’t stay exactly straight, because you’re about to tie them together. 4. Bring these side handles together and tie them in a square knot at the top If you are feeling a little blue about the carnival of wrapping paper discarded over the holidays, or bothered with all the fussiness of paper wrapping, furoshiki gift wrapping is a lovely alternative. You may even find yourself thinking of other furoshiki or bojagi-style uses for cloth around the house, as Canada moves away from single-use plastics. It’s nice when “being good” environmentally is so simple; an ecological alternative can be a joy in itself. And you won’t hear any tape rolls squeaking. As I try new zero-waste substitutions, I appreciate the things I use more. I’m more hesitant about buying things I don’t need or will throw away. My individual choices may not save the planet, but for there to be enough pressure on governments to legislate reductions in carbon emissions, and companies to reduce their output, it will take massive cultural change that everyone contributes to. Like yuzen dyeing, it’s a technique that allows for the use of multiple separate colours on the same cloth. This produces intricate patterns or scenes that appear to be hand-painted. Zero-waste cloth wrapping today Or, head to your local fabric shop and buy some gorgeous fabric—even lovely Liberty floral prints, if you’re feeling fancy—and turn it into your own DIY wrap.Japanese furoshiki gift wrapping—wrapping gifts in reusable fabric—has been practiced in Japan since the Edo Period. It’s also a great way to help reduce the 540 tonnes of plastic-finished, non-recyclable wrapping paper that Canadians discard every year. Multiple methods exist for wrapping a square object; this gift wrapping technique is called otsukai tsutsumi. It is a basic way of wrapping that you can use for everyday items or bento boxes. Place the item in the middle of the fabric, ensuring the sides of the box line up with the diagonal corners. Caring for your furoshiki is generally straightforward, but it’s essential to adapt your approach to the textile it’s made from. Cotton furoshiki is the easiest to maintain; you can simply toss them into the washing machine and hang them dry for the best results. For more vibrant designs, like this Seasons Furoshiki designed by Keisuke Seizawa (1895-1984), a renowned Japanese textile designer, it’s advisable to wash them separately from contrasting colors and avoid using a tumble dryer. This will help preserve the vivid design of the furoshiki and protect it from wear and tear.