This product was discovered in an interview with Mari Nakano. Read full interview here.
Unlike Tenugui, Furoshiki is not considered an everyday use cloth. It is square in shape with no set size. Furoshiki is used to transport things in. The most interesting thing about Furoshiki is the various ways you can use it simply by tying it in different ways. Mari uses it creatively to wrap her post-workout sweaty clothes. Mari says she has done all kinds of things with it and has taken this square piece of cloth on picnics or used it in grocery stores. This square piece of cloth is so much more versatile than a folding bag. You can tie it up to carry things or wrap up things in it to keep things compartmentalized in your bag and it’s eco-friendly.
Apart from using it like a bag, furoshiki is also used as a gift wrap. It is used to tie bottles of wine or any other kind of gift. As we find the best bundle in her house to take pictures of, Mari tells us that they have received wedding gifts wrapped up in Furoshiki and friends and family from Japan will bring gifts that way instead of using paper. This not only makes it way more sustainable but you are passing on a story to remember as Furoshikis are reusable.
Price of Furoshiki ranges from cheap to expensive depending on the material and the maker. Mari explains the reasons behind the prince range. “They get pricey because of the printing techniques and fabric types. Traditional resist-dye and shibori techniques are often applied to them, which increase the price. It also depends on the artisan brands who make them. There are some companies in Japan who make amazing collections - good design has it's price as we all know. If you take a good look at the patterns and prints though, you can understand why the quality ones are not cheap. They don't look mass produced and there's a nice handmade and tender quality that has been applied to each - this is something I feel is priceless. Good ones come equipped with an aura about them that makes them really feel like they are yours, that make them feel special regardless if it's just a piece of cloth. It's totally worth it to buy a few - they existed before plastic bags became popular so they are better for the planet. They are also just really beautiful and always uplift the objects they wrap”.
