Furoshiki

Last time we were in Japan, I blogged about the over use of wrapping.  Every shop I visited wrapped things several times, often first in paper and then  into a plastic bag.  this time, we noticed a real change in this respect.  Not only were most bags made of paper rather than heavy duty plastic, existing bags were reopened to accommodate further purchases – something I tried hard to encourage on our last visit, with little success.

Of course, the Japanese have long made use of furoshiki, or wrapping cloths, and we have seen many of these on sale too.  But in the Edo-Tokyo Museum, I spotted these rings for the first time.

Used as handles when tied into a furoshiki, a very pleasing bag was created and two such bags were hanging on display there.

I took a long hard look to work out how it had been done.  As far as I could see, the corners were tied into each ring with a knot.  I made a quick sketch as an aide memoire before buying a pair of rings and a furoshiki for m-i-l’s birthday and just the rings for myself (having bought a few pieces of eminently suitable fabric the previous day)

But simple is deceptive and fearful that I’d forget how it was done, I called my hero over to work it out too, thinking that two brains are better than one when it comes to remembering details.

I took photographs and thought it was clearer with the brighter, lighter fabric than that dark navy blue.

For heavens sake, this was a simple process.

Until this afternoon, when I unpacked the rings and gave it a try.  Could I remember how it was done?  did those photographs make it any easier?

What a good job the method of tying it up was printed on the reverse side of the ring package!

So clever, so stylish, so practical.  One square of fabric, at least 70cm wide and two five inch rings and Bob’s your Uncle.

I didn’t even have to trouble my Hero, who was rather impressed, I think.