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Furoshiki. Recycling can be beautiful!

CONTRIBUTED BY KANDY

I love this time of year.  Gathering around friends and family to eat, drink and exchange gifts!  I always feel a little sad to see a garbage can full of once beautiful, now crumpled gift wrap.  Why not save space, money and the landfills by using a furoshiki.  ふろしき

Wikipedia’s definition of Furoshiki (風呂敷, furoshiki) are a type of traditional  Japanese wrapping cloth that were frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods…  Modern furoshiki can be made of a variety of cloths, including silk chirimen, cotton, rayon, and nylon.

Wrapping books

Another furoshiki video in one of Kyoto’s famous Furoshiki stores.

A furoshiki cloth can be any size to wrap the contents properly, however, the most common sizes are 45cm (17.7 inch) and 68-72cm (26.7-28.3 inch).  You can cut and hem your own fabrics or buy the more common sizes at department stores such as Aeon or San-A.  Below is a handy chart from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment,  to get you started.  I think I’ve found a new hobby that is actually good for the environment.  There are instructional books on it as well.  Before you know it, you’ll be a furoshiki superstar!

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