Furoshiki: features of the Japanese wrapping technique

Furoshiki is the Japanese art of wrapping things in fabric. It is not known for certain when it appeared. But on engravings dated to the 2nd century AD. e., there are already images of women carrying bundles of fabrics on their heads. Analogs of furoshiki bags are found in many cultures, but only in Japan did this hobby become so widespread. The stage of the greatest development fell on the VII-VIII centuries A.D. NS.

The word "furoshiki" itself can be translated as "a rug for going to the bathhouse." The rug was taken with you to stand on it when dressing in a bathing kimono; a street kimono and a bathing kimono were wrapped in it after water procedures. Over time, pieces of fabric began to be used to carry various items. And although now there is no practical need for this art, it continues to enjoy popularity in Japan and in other countries of the world.

This art can be applied in four ways:

1. when you need to transfer something;
2. when you need to beautifully pack a gift;
3. when you need to pack something to preserve the item;
4. for home and table decoration.

In order to carry something, you can roll the bag over your shoulder or to carry it in your hands. It can be a bag for carrying it on the head, although this is rarely seen now. A hanging fabric bag for carrying a child in front can also be made using this technique.

And although such an accessory will look very unusual, you need to remember that if you need to get a thing out of the bag, you will need to completely or partially untie it. And if you need to collect groceries from the store in such a bag, for example, you will need a separate place for this. This is not very convenient in the reality of the European way of life. Although for fashionable students, such a bag will be an excellent alternative to heavy frame bags. It is worth thinking in advance about which scheme to use.

Even the most unsightly gift will look good in a beautiful fabric wrapper. Hard, soft or flowing fabrics create a unique wrap. For this purpose, brightly colored canvases with patterns are usually used. For many centuries of the development of this art, packaging schemes have accumulated for any form. For example, for bottles (one, two or even three), books, rectangular and square objects, dishes, souvenirs or flowers.

And also this technique is used when you need to save something for a long time. It is worth saying that one of the reasons for the emergence of this art was precisely the need to preserve food. Unlike European residents, the Japanese did not need to store food for a long time. Food could be obtained all year round, so food was not stored for more than 3-4 days. Some analogue of this purpose of furoshiki can be the habit of our grandmothers to wrap clothes and objects in cloth before storing them.

Furoshiki is used not only for packing items during transportation, but also for decorating their own home. For example, when decorating bottles, vases, floor lamps. Decorating flower pots and kitchen utensils deserves a special mention. In addition, the Japanese practice the wrapping of sweets and candies. Moreover, each candy should be wrapped in a separate piece. Fruit can be packed together.

There are no restrictions on the materials used in furoshiki. It all depends solely on the desire of the designer and the specific circumstances. In Japan, they are very fond of bright fabrics, which they use for needlework. Here are general recommendations for the most common cases.

For making bags, it is best to use strong, dense, but not very heavy fabrics. Batiste, Bengal, velor, gabardine and staple fabrics are suitable. And also the material is jacquard and diagonal. These materials are characterized by lightness, durability, and simplicity. It is also important that they hardly change their shape, which means that the piece of fabric will last longer. The material can be monotonous or patterned depending on your style of clothing.

There are no restrictions in materials for decorating a house, at all. But it is recommended not to use fleecy fabrics such as velvet, velor, corduroy, as they will collect dust and lint. For small items, it is better to use fabrics with a high drape property. For example, cambric, staple, chiffon, silk and madonna.

In order to pack the item "in the back", you can use both old sheets and specially purchased fabric. Cotton, linen and chiffon fabrics are suitable.

In order to wrap a gift, it is recommended to take patterned, loose materials. This is dictated by the fact that if you plan to make a handle when packing a small item, then it will be easier to do it from soft and thin materials. If you do not plan to leave the handles and knit large knots, then there are no restrictions in the materials. Silk, cambric, jacquard, velvet, chiffon, guipure, viscose, velor, satin and polyester work well.

The dimensions of the segment can be any convenient. Traditionally in Japan, square pieces of fabric were used with sides of 48 cm, 52 cm, 70 cm, 100-105 cm, 128 cm, 174 cm, 195 cm.

Here are some examples of how you can diversify your life with a piece of fabric and wrapping techniques.

We need a piece of material equal to three times the length of one bottle in the diagonal.

1. Let's fold the bottles so that the necks look at different corners of the same diagonal, and there is a gap of 7-8 cm between the bottoms.
2. Let's roll a fabric roll with bottle filling.
3. Fold in half so that the bottles are next to each other. Tie a knot from the corners above the necks.

Consider how to quickly fold a bag (for example, let's take a student version with books):

1. we need such a segment so that the diagonal fits four widths of the book;
2. divide all the books into two parts, and place them along the edges of the segment;
3. now we wrap the remaining corners (closest to them) on them and fold again so that the covers are completely hidden under the fabric, and the books themselves are next to them;
4. we shift each free end of the canvas to the opposite side;
5. we turn over the structure, we tie the free ends of the canvas with a knot at the height we need.

How to pack a stack of bedding for storage:

1. we spread the material in 3 stack heights;
2. put a stack in the center;
3. alternately tie the diagonally opposite ends of the material;
4. tuck the hanging "ears" inward to completely hide the stack.

With the help of furoshiki, you can beautifully wrap a rounded object (for example, a case):

1. choose a piece of fabric so that it is equal to two lengths of the case;
2. put the case on one of the corners, and wrap the "roll";
3. we wrap the corners sticking out of the case so that the end of the "roll" does not fall out;
4. we form a beautiful knot or bow.

Furoshiki is a beautiful traditional Japanese art that can help bring harmony and beauty to life.

For information on how to pack a gift yourself using the furoshiki technique, see the next video.