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Hyper Japan Festival Furoshiki Wrapping Workshops 2025
The Hyper Japan Festival 2025, held from July 18 to 20 at Olympia Events in London, is the UK’s premier celebration of Japanese culture, drawing thousands to its vibrant showcase of food, crafts, and performances. Among its standout offerings is the Furoshiki Wrapping Masterclass, a hands-on workshop exploring the traditional Japanese art of fabric wrapping. This eco-friendly and creative practice transforms a simple square cloth into a versatile tool for wrapping gifts, carrying items, or even creating stylish bags. Led by experienced instructors, the masterclass provides participants with practical skills and cultural insights, making it ideal for beginners and those seeking sustainable alternatives to modern packaging. Attendees will leave with a deeper appreciation for this centuries-old craft and the ability to apply it in everyday life.
What You Will Learn
In the Furoshiki Wrapping Masterclass, participants will master the art of using a single square cloth to wrap and carry objects with elegance and efficiency. You will learn a variety of traditional folding and knotting techniques to create wraps for gifts, bottles, books, and bento boxes. The workshop covers methods like the basic carry wrap, bottle wrap, and handbag-style knots, each tailored to different shapes and purposes. Participants will explore how to select appropriate fabric sizes and patterns to suit specific occasions, ensuring both functionality and aesthetic appeal. The class also delves into the cultural significance of furoshiki, emphasizing Japanese values of respect, thoughtfulness, and environmental consciousness in gift-giving. You will gain practical tips for incorporating furoshiki into daily life, such as using it as a reusable shopping bag or decorative accessory. By the end, you will have the confidence to apply these techniques creatively, transforming ordinary items into beautifully wrapped packages while embracing sustainable practices.
Lesson Structure
The masterclass is structured as a 90-minute session, offered multiple times during the festival to accommodate various schedules. It begins with a brief introduction to furoshiki’s history and its role in Japanese culture, providing context for the practical work. The instructor, often a specialist in Japanese crafts, demonstrates key wrapping techniques using different objects to showcase versatility. Participants then engage in hands-on practice, working in small groups to ensure personalized guidance. You will practice wrapping items like boxes, bottles, and small objects, experimenting with different knots and folds under the instructor’s supervision. The session includes interactive elements, such as fun trivia about furoshiki’s evolution and its modern resurgence as an eco-friendly alternative. The workshop concludes with a group showcase, where participants display their wrapped creations, followed by a Q&A session to address any challenges. The class is beginner-friendly, conducted in English, and suitable for ages 13 and up, with younger participants requiring adult supervision. An add-on ticket is required alongside general festival admission.
Materials Used
All materials are provided, ensuring a seamless experience. The primary material is a square furoshiki cloth, typically 70×70 cm or 45×45 cm, made from cotton or polyester for durability and ease of use. These cloths feature traditional Japanese patterns, such as floral motifs or geometric designs, adding cultural authenticity. Participants will use sample items like boxes, bottles, and books to practice wrapping, allowing exploration of techniques for various shapes. The workshop may also provide ribbons or cords for advanced knots, though most techniques rely solely on the cloth. Each participant receives a furoshiki cloth to take home, serving as both a keepsake and a tool for future practice. The materials are eco-friendly, aligning with furoshiki’s sustainable ethos, and no sewing or additional tools are required, making the process accessible to all.
YouTube Channel
For further exploration of furoshiki techniques, the YouTube channel “Japan by Food” offers engaging tutorials on Japanese crafts, including furoshiki wrapping. Visit their channel at https://www.youtube.com/@JapanbyFood to discover videos that complement the workshop experience with practical demonstrations and cultural insights.
Brief History of Furoshiki
Furoshiki, meaning “bath spread,” traces its origins to Japan’s Nara period (710–794), when cloths called tsutsumi were used to wrap precious temple items. During the Heian period (794–1185), these cloths, known as koromo utsumi, protected clothing. The term “furoshiki” emerged in the Muromachi period (1336–1573), when feudal lords used crested cloths to wrap kimonos at bathhouses, preventing mix-ups. By the Edo period (1603–1868), furoshiki became widespread among the public, used for carrying clothes, goods, and gifts at bathhouses and beyond. Made from silk, cotton, or modern synthetics, furoshiki reflects Japan’s emphasis on thoughtful presentation and utility. Its use declined post-war with the rise of plastic bags, but a 2006 campaign by Japan’s Minister of the Environment, Yuriko Koike, revived interest by promoting furoshiki as an eco-friendly alternative. Today, furoshiki is celebrated globally for its versatility, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal, used for wrapping gifts, carrying bento boxes, or creating reusable bags, embodying Japan’s blend of tradition and innovation.
Paul (Poison Fish) Manjyu Woodman
