News Update12 September 2013

Furoshiki風呂敷

Wrapping Culture● tsutsumu 包む (つつむ)● wrapping (e.g., of gifts) implies respect● tsutsushimu 慎む (つつしむ) means to be

prudent, suppress one’s feelings

Origin and History

Furoshiki is fromfuro shiki

“bath” “spreading/covering”

Origin and History● Started in Nara Period, to keep Emperor’s

valuables● First known as hirazutsumi (平包), ‘flat

folded bundles’● In Edo Period, to bundle clothes at public

furo (お風呂)● Eventually, used by merchants to carry

goods● Not unique to Japan (Cf. bojagi)

Modern Use● made of silk, cotton, chirimen, rayon, nylon● common sizes are 45 cm and 68-72 cm● used to wrap bento or as table mat

Modern Use● 6 March 2006, Minister Yuriko Koike

introduced ‘mottainai furoshiki’● made of fiber from recycled

PET bottles● motif from Itoh Jukuchu

paintings

DIY FuroshikiFor practical use

DIY FuroshikiFor fashion

References● http://www.nicjapanese.com/english/e-cul-furoshiki.html● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furoshiki● http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/060403.html● http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html