Furoshiki: The art of Japanese gift wrapping  

Many of Japan's most treasured arts, such as Shodo (calligraphy), Ikebana (flower arranging), Kintsugi (repair of broken pottery), etc. arose from something that was originally intended for practical purposes. This is also true of Furoshiki (gift wrapping). The phrase, which literally translates to bath (furo) and spread (shiki), was first used to protect valuable things during the Nara period (AD 710–794). This is the period when the imperial government was at Nara, and Buddhism was developed. Furoshiki is an eco-friendly, square-shaped Japanese traditional wrapping cloth that is commonly used for gift wrapping, carrying goods, or just as decoration. Read below to know more. 

What is Furoshiki? 
Furoshiki is a square piece of fabric or cloth that is used for gift wrapping, transporting objects, fashion, and home decor. The term refers to both the craft and the cloth itself, which usually has an attractive design. Furoshiki has transformed the art of giving gifts and has become increasingly popular among cultures all over the world. Cotton, nylon, silk, or rayon are the most common fabrics used in furoshiki. It comes in a wide range of designs and sizes, allowing people to select furoshiki that suit their or the recipient's preferences. 

How to tie Furoshiki? 
The cloth itself is all that is required to tie a furoshiki. Furoshiki cloth is available in a range of sizes, the most popular of which are 45 x 45 centimetres (17 x 17 inches) and 70 x 70 cm (28 x 28 inches). Depending on the size of the object you're wrapping, the cloth can be as little as the palm of your hand for certain gifts and as enormous as the size of a car for others. Everything right from the pattern of the fabric to its thickness and size can be selected by the person who’s giving the gift to the recipient.  

Quick tips to tie a Furoshiki 

Here are some tips to tie a Furoshiki for your near and dear ones. 

• Make sure the cloth being used is of square shape only 

• Get creative with added accessories of your choice 
• Cloth should be thick enough to hold the weight of the gift 

A brief history of Furoshiki 
As already mentioned, Furoshiki originated in Japan around AD 710 during the Nara period. Tsutsumi, which means "package" or "gift" was the term used at the time to describe the cloth used to wrap an object. It was largely used in Japanese temples to wrap valuables and treasures. The name Furoshiki was used during the Muromachi period which lasted from 1136 to 1573.  

It is believed that during this time, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a shogun (a hereditary commander-in-chief in feudal Japan) built a big bath house (baths for public use) in his mansion and invited feudal lords to stay and use it. To avoid being confused with other guests, these visitors would wrap their kimonos in furoshiki cloth while bathing. Often, the cloths were adorned with family crests and emblems as further indications of who they belonged to. Furoshiki was soon popular with all members of society, as bath houses became the designated area to wash, relax, and socialise. It wasn't long before the tradition spread to other areas, such as wrapping gifts, books and merchandise.