Furoshiki ｜風呂敷 [ふろしき]

A Furoshiki,  is a square cut of cloth that can be used versatilely for many activities such as : holding items, a wrapping cloth, a hand towel, and can even be worn as an accessory. 

 The origins of this object come from Japan, it went by many names based on its use and time period, primarily employed for wrapping and transferring small items.  It wasn't until the Edo Period, where it was finally permanently named "Furoshiki", 『お風呂』Furo = Bath , while 『敷く』Shiki = to spread, due to its popularity at the time as a bath towel. From that point on the cloth began to expand its uses for other activities and is still continuously used in Japans modern society.

Designs and sizes of Furoshiki are various. Sizes range from small handkerchiefs to large bath towels;  colors and patterns stretch from a single color to unique patterns that can reflect seasons, events, age or even company businesses. Traditional designs are still popular, the yellow one pictured above is decorated with red camilla flowers, white leaves, with a cat and deer in the corner. Modern designers such as SouSou Kyoto have expanded Furoshiki into a form of art, the one at the bottom uses a black an white minimalistic color scheme with roman numbers.  

The fact that such a simple item holds so much diversity, is an example of how thoughtful and conservative the Japanese are with their materials. I have been particularly interested in Furoshiki because their various pattern designs and aesthetic properties. I refrain from using it as a wrapping or bath cloth out of fear of deteriorating the material and use it more as a wall decoration; sometimes I do wear it but refrain for the same reason above. A friend of mine who visited Japan recently bought me the yellow one at the top as a gift.  To be honest, I was quite surprised that he had chosen such nicely designed towel that actually suited my tastes. (=▽=;)

Info Sources:

http://thekyotoproject.org/english/furoshiki/