The Japanese Art of Wrapping

‘Furoshiki’, the Japanese art of wrapping, offers a beautifully enduring and sustainable alternative in a world increasingly driven by speed and disposability. With a long and colourful history, this practice transforms the simple act of wrapping a gift into a meaningful ritual, blending functionality with individual flair and aesthetic grace.

The origins of furoshiki date back to the 8th century, during Japan’s Nara period, when cloths called ‘tsutsumi’ were used to protect valuable temple items. ‘Furo’, meaning ‘bath’, and ‘shiki’, meaning ‘spread’, were much later combined as a term when bathhouse guests – about 600 years ago, during the Muromachi period – began bundling up their belongings in these patterned cloths, often adorned with family crests to distinguish them from one another.

Over time, furoshiki evolved beyond bathhouses, becoming an essential and practical part of daily life for transporting goods, wrapping gifts, and even serving as makeshift bags. Its versatility and cultural significance have not waned, continuing to symbolise respect, care and the beauty of impermanence.​

At its core, furoshiki is a square piece of cloth, typically ranging from 45cm to 1m along each side, crafted traditionally from materials such as silk or cotton and, in more modern times, synthetic fibres, too. The selection of fabric composition and design often reflects the occasion, season or personal sentiment.

True artistry lies in the folding and tying techniques, which can transform a cloth into an elegant wrap no matter the size or shape of the object. The simple Otsukai Tsutsumi method, for example, is the basic carry wrap, and most commonly used for gift wrapping box-shaped items.

Here’s how to create it yourself: spread out the cloth, printed side down, in a diamond shape, so that one corner is pointing at you. Place the object you wish to wrap in the centre. Then fold the bottom corner over the object towards the top, and tuck it slightly underneath. Fold the top corner down over the object. Finally, take the left and right corners, bring them together over the top, and tie a square knot (right over left, then left over right), gently tightening it to finish.

The result is a neatly wrapped bundle with a centred knot, which resembles a festive, oversized bow and doubles as a handle for easy carrying. Other methods, of which there are more than 30, include hiraki tsutsumi – a flat wrap, often used for clothes or books; awase tsutsumi – used for layered or paired gifts; and kakushi tsutsumi, a hidden knot style that’s clean and refined.

In recent years, furoshiki has been experiencing a resurgence in line with a global shift toward sustainability and mindfulness. Unlike single-use wrapping paper, these tactile cloths offer a reusable solution that reduces waste and encourages creativity. Charmingly, the furoshiki also becomes part of the gift, intended to be kept and used again by the receiver. Traditionally, however, in more formal settings, the fabric may be expected to be returned, especially if it is an heirloom piece.

Through its remarkable adaptability, quiet beauty and a cultural richness woven into every fold and knot, furoshiki becomes more than just a cloth – it is a living expression of the Japanese principle of ‘mottainai’, a deep-rooted respect for resources and a gentle sorrow over waste.