Jump to content

Furoshiki: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Gudo501 (talk | contribs)
20 edits
No edit summary
BattyBot (talk | contribs)
Bots
1,922,905 edits
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Traditional Japanese wrapping cloth}}
{{short description|Traditional Japanese wrapping cloth}}
{{About||formal decorative cloth gift-wrap covers|Fukusa}}
{{About||formal decorative cloth gift-wrap covers|Fukusa}}
{{more citations|date=November 2021}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2021}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Italic title}}
[[File:Traditional Japanese wrapping cloth,huroshiki,katori-city,japan.JPG|thumb|Modern {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} are popular as an environmentally-friendly alternative to wrapping paper.]]
[[File:Traditional Japanese wrapping cloth,huroshiki,katori-city,japan.JPG|thumb|Modern {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} are popular as an environmentally-friendly alternative to wrapping paper.]]
[[File:Home made Bento.jpg|thumb|Two homemade [[bento]] boxes with {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} wrappings]]
[[File:Home made Bento.jpg|thumb|Two homemade [[bento]] boxes with {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} wrappings]]


{{nihongo||[[Wiktionary:風呂敷|風呂敷]]|'''Furoshiki'''}} are traditional [[Japan]]ese [[Gift wrapping|wrapping cloths]] traditionally used to wrap and/or to transport goods. Consideration is placed on the aesthetics of {{transl|ja|furoshiki}}, which may feature hemmed edges, thicker and more expensive materials, and hand-painted designs; however, {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} are much less formal than {{transl|ja|[[fukusa]]}}, and are not generally used to present formal gifts.
{{nihongo||[[Wiktionary:風呂敷|風呂敷]]|'''Furoshiki'''}} are traditional [[Japan]]ese [[Gift wrapping|wrapping cloths]] traditionally used to wrap and/or to transport goods. Consideration is placed on the aesthetics of {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}}, which may feature hemmed edges, thicker and more expensive materials, and hand-painted designs; however, {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} are much less formal than {{transliteration|ja|[[fukusa]]}}, and are not generally used to present formal gifts.


While they come in a variety of sizes, they are typically almost square: the height is slightly greater than the width.<ref>{{cite book|title=風呂敷つつみ A Complete Guide to Furoshiki|
While they come in a variety of sizes, they are typically almost square: the height is slightly greater than the width.<ref>{{cite book|title=風呂敷つつみ A Complete Guide to Furoshiki|
Line 13: Line 13:
publisher=Banana Books|
publisher=Banana Books|
isbn=9784902930153|
isbn=9784902930153|
language=Japanese and English|
language=Japanese, English|
year=2007|pages=105}}</ref>
year=2007|pages=105}}</ref>


Traditional materials include [[silk]] or [[cotton]], but modern {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} are available in synthetic materials like [[rayon]], [[nylon]], or [[polyester]].
Traditional materials include [[silk]] or [[cotton]], but modern {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} are available in synthetic materials like [[rayon]], [[nylon]], or [[polyester]].


== History ==
== History ==
The first {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} cloths were {{transl|ja|tsutsumi}} ("wrapping"), used during the [[Nara period]] as protection for precious temple objects. By the [[Heian period]], cloths called {{nihongo||平裏/平包|hiratsusumi}}, meaning "flat wrap", were used to wrap clothes.{{cn|date=November 2021}} These cloths came to be known as {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} during the [[Muromachi period]]; the term {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} (literally "bath spread", from {{nihongo3|"bath"|風呂|furo}}, and {{nihongo3|"spread"|敷|shiki}}) is said to have come about after high-ranking visitors to bathhouses packed their belongings in cloth decorated with their [[Mon (emblem)|family crest]].{{cn|date=November 2021}}
The first {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} cloths were {{transliteration|ja|tsutsumi}} ("wrapping"), used during the [[Nara period]] as protection for precious temple objects. By the [[Heian period]], cloths called {{nihongo||平裏/平包|hiratsusumi}}, meaning "flat wrap", were used to wrap clothes.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} These cloths came to be known as {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} during the [[Muromachi period]]; the term {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} (literally "bath spread", from {{nihongo3|"bath"|風呂|furo}}, and {{nihongo3|"spread"|敷|shiki}}) is said to have come about after high-ranking visitors to bathhouses packed their belongings in cloth decorated with their [[Mon (emblem)|family crest]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


They became popular in the [[Edo period]] with increased access to bathhouses by the general public; moreover, cloths with family crests grew in demand as common people gained the right to have family crests during the [[Meiji period]].{{cn|date=November 2021}}
They became popular in the [[Edo period]] with increased access to bathhouses by the general public; moreover, cloths with family crests grew in demand as common people gained the right to have family crests during the [[Meiji period]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


Modern {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} may be made from [[fabric]]s of various thicknesses and price points, including [[silk]], {{transl|ja|[[crêpe (textile)#chirimen|chirimen]]}}, [[cotton]], [[rayon]], and [[nylon]]. The cloth is typically square, and while sizes vary, the most common are {{convert|45|×|45|cm|in}} and {{convert|70|×|70|cm|in}}.{{cn|date=November 2021}}
Modern {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} may be made from [[fabric]]s of various thicknesses and price points, including [[silk]], {{transliteration|ja|[[crêpe (textile)#chirimen|chirimen]]}}, [[cotton]], [[rayon]], and [[nylon]]. The cloth is typically square, and while sizes vary, the most common are {{convert|45|×|45|cm|in}} and {{convert|70|×|70|cm|in}}.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


{{transl|ja|Furoshiki}} usage declined in the [[post-war]] period, in large part due the proliferation of paper and plastic bags available to shoppers. In recent years, however, it has seen a renewed interest as [[Environmental movement|environmental protection]] has become a greater concern. In 2006, Japanese [[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Minister of the Environment]], [[Yuriko Koike]], showcased a specially-designed {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} cloth to promote environmental awareness.<ref>[http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/060403.html Minister Koike created the "Mottainai Furoshiki" as a symbol of Japanese culture to reduce wastes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716211534/http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/060403.html |date=2017-07-16 }}, [[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]]</ref> In 2020, ''[[The Observer]]'' reported a growing interest in {{transl|ja|furoshiki}} in the UK, in part as a response to its perceived greater environmental sustainability compared to traditional single-use wrapping paper.<ref>{{cite web| last= Smith| first= Gwendolyn| title= Why reusable cloth could consign Christmas gift wrap to the bin| url= https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/15/why-reusable-cloth-could-consign-christmas-gift-wrap-to-the-bin| work= [[The Observer]]| date= 15 November 2020| access-date= 15 November 2020 }}</ref>
{{transliteration|ja|Furoshiki}} usage declined in the [[post-war]] period, in large part due the proliferation of paper and plastic bags available to shoppers. In recent years, however, it has seen a renewed interest as [[Environmental movement|environmental protection]] has become a greater concern. In 2006, Japanese [[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Minister of the Environment]], [[Yuriko Koike]], showcased a specially-designed {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} cloth to promote environmental awareness.<ref>[http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/060403.html Minister Koike created the "Mottainai Furoshiki" as a symbol of Japanese culture to reduce wastes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716211534/http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/060403.html |date=2017-07-16 }}, [[Ministry of the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment]]</ref> In 2020, ''[[The Observer]]'' reported a growing interest in {{transliteration|ja|furoshiki}} in the UK, in part as a response to its perceived greater environmental sustainability compared to traditional single-use wrapping paper.<ref>{{cite web| last= Smith| first= Gwendolyn| title= Why reusable cloth could consign Christmas gift wrap to the bin| url= https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/15/why-reusable-cloth-could-consign-christmas-gift-wrap-to-the-bin| work= [[The Observer]]| date= 15 November 2020| access-date= 15 November 2020 }}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* {{transl|ja|[[Fukusa]]}}, a type of Japanese textile used for gift-wrapping or for purifying equipment during a Japanese tea ceremony
* {{transliteration|ja|[[Fukusa]]}}, a type of Japanese textile used for gift-wrapping or for purifying equipment during a Japanese tea ceremony
* {{transl|ko|[[Bojagi]]}}, a similar square cloth in [[Korea]]
* {{transliteration|ko|[[Bojagi]]}}, a similar square cloth in [[Korea]]
* {{transl|ja|[[Tenugui]]}}, a thin Japanese hand towel made of cotton
* {{transliteration|ja|[[Tenugui]]}}, a thin Japanese hand towel made of cotton


==References==
==References==
Line 36: Line 36:


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commonscat}}
* [http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html Some common furoshiki folding patterns]
* [http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html Some common furoshiki folding patterns]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NC7MH3EzBWM#t=190 Youtube: Kakefuda, Kyoto] (Another tutorial videoclip).
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=NC7MH3EzBWM#t=190 Youtube: Kakefuda, Kyoto] (Another tutorial videoclip).


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Japanese culture]]
[[Category:Japanese culture]]
[[Category:Textile arts of Japan]]
[[Category:Textile arts of Japan]]

Revision as of 02:00, 1 July 2023

For formal decorative cloth gift-wrap covers, see Fukusa.

Modern furoshiki are popular as an environmentally-friendly alternative to wrapping paper.
Two homemade bento boxes with furoshiki wrappings

Furoshiki (風呂敷) are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths traditionally used to wrap and/or to transport goods. Consideration is placed on the aesthetics of furoshiki, which may feature hemmed edges, thicker and more expensive materials, and hand-painted designs; however, furoshiki are much less formal than fukusa, and are not generally used to present formal gifts.

While they come in a variety of sizes, they are typically almost square: the height is slightly greater than the width.[1]

Traditional materials include silk or cotton, but modern furoshiki are available in synthetic materials like rayon, nylon, or polyester.

History

The first furoshiki cloths were tsutsumi ("wrapping"), used during the Nara period as protection for precious temple objects. By the Heian period, cloths called hiratsusumi (平裏/平包), meaning "flat wrap", were used to wrap clothes.[citation needed] These cloths came to be known as furoshiki during the Muromachi period; the term furoshiki (literally "bath spread", from furo (風呂, "bath"), and shiki (敷, "spread")) is said to have come about after high-ranking visitors to bathhouses packed their belongings in cloth decorated with their family crest.[citation needed]

They became popular in the Edo period with increased access to bathhouses by the general public; moreover, cloths with family crests grew in demand as common people gained the right to have family crests during the Meiji period.[citation needed]

Modern furoshiki may be made from fabrics of various thicknesses and price points, including silk, chirimen, cotton, rayon, and nylon. The cloth is typically square, and while sizes vary, the most common are 45 by 45 centimetres (18 in × 18 in) and 70 by 70 centimetres (28 in × 28 in).[citation needed]

Furoshiki usage declined in the post-war period, in large part due the proliferation of paper and plastic bags available to shoppers. In recent years, however, it has seen a renewed interest as environmental protection has become a greater concern. In 2006, Japanese Minister of the Environment, Yuriko Koike, showcased a specially-designed furoshiki cloth to promote environmental awareness.[2] In 2020, The Observer reported a growing interest in furoshiki in the UK, in part as a response to its perceived greater environmental sustainability compared to traditional single-use wrapping paper.[3]

See also

  • Fukusa, a type of Japanese textile used for gift-wrapping or for purifying equipment during a Japanese tea ceremony
  • Bojagi, a similar square cloth in Korea
  • Tenugui, a thin Japanese hand towel made of cotton

References

  1. ^ Yamada, Etsuko (2007). 風呂敷つつみ A Complete Guide to Furoshiki (in Japanese and English). Tokyo: Banana Books. p. 105. ISBN 9784902930153.
  2. ^ Minister Koike created the "Mottainai Furoshiki" as a symbol of Japanese culture to reduce wastes Archived 2017-07-16 at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of the Environment
  3. ^ Smith, Gwendolyn (15 November 2020). "Why reusable cloth could consign Christmas gift wrap to the bin". The Observer. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Furoshiki.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Furoshiki&oldid=1162770188"