Here is a cool video talking about the Japanese art of furoshiki. It shows how a simple square cloth can be used as an environmentally friendly alternative to paper or plastic bags when carrying groceries, or anything else for that matter.
If you get past the cheesy narration and background music, the video is really useful and shows you lots of different designs. As I have enough trouble folding the washing, it may take me some practice, but I'm sure the rest of you talented individuals out there should have no problem.
There is also a useful 'how to furoshiki' diagram from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment which can get you started.
Submitted by Andrew on 8 August 2008 11:30:40
Comments
Hours of fun for all the family! Thanks for that, Andrew!
I have a stunningly beautiful silk scarf that I was given some years ago and I really don't wear it as often as I would like. I just went and fetched it and I have been trying out some of the techniques on the video. I think I will be using my scarf as a handbag from now on!
The technique for carrying two bottles is particularly effective. I can see myself giving everyone I know two bottles of wine and a silk scarf for all their birthdays in the foreseeable future.
Some years ago I was told a story about a woman who was considered rather eccentric in her (US) city. She carried a plastic container (like an ice cream container) with her everywhere she went, wrapped furoshiki-style in a silk scarf. The container was a mini worm farm. Whenever she had food scraps left over from a sandwich or fruit peelings etc she would put it in her portable worm farm.
I aspire to be that woman.
Submitted by Lindis on 9 August 2008 22:18:56