Furoshiki Is the sustainable way of wrapping gifts I’m practicing this year

Those closest to me know that I am an absolute anti-talent when it comes to wrapping gifts. Whatever they may think, I can tell the difference between the “aww, she really tried” smile and the “wow, this is really good” smile. That is why I keep trying to find a trick that my non-motor-skilled hands could copy and earn genuine admiration for my creative skills. So far, it has only worked once, when I reached for the fukoshimi method I saw on the Instagram profile of the brand Aiayu.

To this day, it remains my simplest way of making a good impression. If you are not familiar with it, it is a traditional Japanese technique of wrapping items using a square piece of fabric. As for that, the word furoshiki itself comes from the Japanese words furo (bath) and shiki (mat). Historically, furoshiki was used to wrap clothing when visiting public baths, in order to protect garments and make them easier to carry. Today, the furoshiki technique is popular for its environmental friendliness, aesthetics, and versatility. Unlike paper wrapping, which is often thrown away after use, furoshiki fabric can be reused, and it can be made from cotton, silk, polyester, or other materials, with a wide range of patterns, colors, and textures.

There are several methods within fukoshimi, including otsukai tsutsumi, a simple technique for wrapping box-shaped items that is perfect for beginners; yotsu musubi, with four knots, ideal for securely holding the contents within the fabric; bin tsutsumi, a technique for wrapping bottles, suitable for gifting wine or other beverages; and hira tsutsumi, a method for wrapping large, flat items such as books or documents. Take a look at the step-by-step guide below.

 

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