FUROSHIKI

In the Edo period (1603-1868), the Furoshiki was at its most popular as it became an indispensable daily accessory. New ways of wrapping things were invented and passed along the ancestral line. As well as antique cotton, they were also made in silk, nylon and rayon. Each family had between 10 and 20 furoshiki of different sizes. Amongst other things they were used as a suitcase, a shopping bag, or a school satchel. 

As japan became more influenced by western culture and clothing, the use of bags, wallets and suitcases became more popular. As did the use of plastic bags in shops which began replacing the method of furoshiki traditional fabric wrapping, and thus this ancient technique was almost forgotten.

Social movements to protect the environment, and also to recover the traditional cultures, joined forces and alongside the japanese ministry of environment. A campaign was launched in 2006 to recover the tradition of furoshiki with the banning of plastic shopping bags.