Gifts ·
What Is Furoshiki? 5 Beautiful Ways to Use a Japanese Wrapping Cloth
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Furoshiki is one of those simple ideas that never really goes out of style: a square of fabric that can wrap a gift, carry a lunch, or brighten a table, then be folded away and used again. It’s a lovely tradition to borrow from if you’re looking for a more thoughtful, less wasteful way to wrap and carry everyday things. Here’s a quick introduction to furoshiki, plus five easy ways to start using one at home.
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What is furoshiki?
Furoshiki (pronounced foo-roh-shee-kee) is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth. It’s usually a square of fabric — cotton, silk, rayon, and polyester are all common — that can be folded and knotted around objects of almost any shape.
The name is often traced back to Japan’s public bathhouses, where people are said to have bundled their clothes in a cloth and spread it out to stand on while changing. Over time, the cloth became an everyday way to wrap and carry all kinds of things, from gifts and groceries to books and lunch boxes.
Today, furoshiki is enjoying fresh attention as a reusable alternative to wrapping paper and disposable bags. One cloth can be used again and again, and the basic knots are easy to learn.
5 beautiful ways to use furoshiki
You don’t need special skills to get started. Most furoshiki wraps rely on a simple square knot, and once you’ve tied a few, you’ll find yourself reaching for the cloth in all kinds of situations.
1. Wrap a gift
This is the classic use. Place a box in the center of the cloth on the diagonal, fold two opposite corners over it, then tie the remaining two corners in a neat knot on top. The result looks polished with very little effort, and the cloth becomes part of the gift — something the recipient can keep and use again.
For an extra decorative touch, you can tuck a sprig of greenery into the knot or add a few strands of mizuhiki, the decorative paper cord traditionally used in Japanese gift presentation.
2. Carry or wrap everyday items
Furoshiki is wonderfully practical for the things you carry every day. Wrap a lunch box to keep it tidy, bundle a book or tablet before it goes into your tote, or keep a change of clothes together in a gym bag. A cloth wrap also makes it easy to keep small items organized inside a larger bag.
3. Make a simple bag
With a few knots, a furoshiki can become a handy tote. One popular method is to tie a small knot in each of two opposite corners, then tie the other two corners together to form a handle. Larger cloths work best for this, and a cloth bag is easy to tuck into your purse for a farmers market run or a picnic. Keep it to lighter loads, though — a knotted cloth bag isn’t meant for heavy groceries.
4. Decorate your table or home
A pretty furoshiki doesn’t have to be tied around anything. Lay one across a side table as a small runner, spread one under a vase or a bowl of fruit, drape one over a basket, or hang one on the wall as a simple textile display. Rotating cloths is an easy way to refresh a room without buying new decor.
5. Wrap for the seasons
Because furoshiki can be reused, it’s easy to build a small collection for different times of year: soft florals for spring, cool blues for summer, warm tones for fall, and festive colors for the holidays. Reusing the same cloths each year can become a little tradition of its own — and it means less wrapping paper heading to the trash after every celebration.
A Simple Furoshiki Wrap to Try
You don’t need a complicated technique to get started with furoshiki. A simple two-knot wrap is enough for a small box or gift.
Step 1
Place the cloth flat in a diamond shape and set the gift in the center.
Step 2
Bring the top and bottom corners over the gift and overlap them neatly.
Step 3
Bring the remaining two corners together over the top.
Step 4
Tie them in a simple square knot and gently adjust the fabric.
Trying furoshiki for yourself
If you’d like to try furoshiki at home, a single cloth is all you need to begin. Think about how you plan to use it: a smaller cloth is handy for little gifts and lunch boxes, while a larger one gives you room to wrap bigger items or tie a bag. Cotton is easy to fold and knot, while silkier fabrics drape beautifully but can be a little slippery for beginners.
The cloth below is one option to start with. Before you buy, check the listing for the size, fabric, and pattern so you can choose one that suits the way you’d like to use it.
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1. Furoshiki Wrapping Cloth
A furoshiki-style fabric wrapping cloth for trying the ideas in this guide, from wrapping a gift to tying a simple bag. It’s an easy way to experiment with reusable wrapping at home — check the listing for current size, fabric, and design options.
View on Amazon (paid link)
A small cloth with a long life
Part of furoshiki’s charm is its simplicity. A single square of fabric can be gift wrap one week, a lunch bundle the next, and a splash of color on your table after that. It’s practical and reusable, and it brings a little extra care to ordinary moments.
Start with one cloth and a simple knot, and see where it takes you.