Come to think of it, every time I saw one of my aunts carrying something, it was often wrapped in a furoshiki…
Thinking about it now, the handkerchiefs and furoshiki that wrapped my lunch boxes also worked perfectly as placemats so I didn't spill anything on the table during meals, and I could even use them as napkins to wipe my hands and mouth. They were really convenient. No matter how dirty they got, I could always take them home, wash them, and use them again later. I wonder how many hundreds of times I used them over the years?
I'm sure that out of all the people who've ever studied or worked in Japan and taken a lunch box with them every day, many of them have some kind of experience with the furoshiki wrapping.
When people buy meals at a convenience store or get take-out, it often comes in a plastic container, inside a plastic bag or any other form of disposable containers. We eat and throw away, eat and throw away, and it's a far cry from recycling.
I appreciate the convenience of having things readily available like that, but I really feel like it doesn't compare to the value of something handmade. There's just something about a homemade lunch, hand-wrapped in a furoshiki. It has a kind of warmth to it. :)
Also, did you know? To "tie" a furoshiki, which is an essential part of using one, actually has a very deep meaning.
The word "musubu" (to tie) has several different uses in Japanese.
It is often used to express "connected relationships", which means valuing the connection between people and looking after those relationships.
It is also used to mean "male and female bonds", referring to marriage and deep emotional connections.
When you tie a furoshiki, it is important to think about the person you want to give it to, and tie the knot with the intention of "strengthening the connection between hearts".
Furthermore, when a new child is born, we call them
"Musume" (Daughter)
"Musuko" (Son)
referring to a new "connection" being formed with the parents experiencing the arrival of new life.
As the traditional staple food of Japan, Japanese people have a great affinity for rice and the "omusubi" (rice balls) that are made from rice.
"Omusubi" is said to be derived from the "God of Connections" in the oldest history book in Japan, "Kojiki", with the word "bi" meaning "soul", and "omusubi" referring to "where the soul is" or "where the gods live".
With "omusubi" having such an incredible history, you can't help but feel powerful when you eat them.
This is how the word and act of "tying" have been held in high regard since ancient times.
In Japan, the very act of "tying" is perceived as something very sacred.
By tying something, such as when you wrap a gift, you imbue it with thoughts and life.
As an aside, did you know that in order to wear a kimono you have to tie many different knots?
There are so many knots and different ways of tying them that some people would find it quite troublesome, but the Japanese continued to wear these kinds of garments until relatively recently when Western clothing was introduced to Japan.
Why do you suppose that was? It's possible that the Japanese have always believed in the power of "tying", seeing it as a sort of purification ritual, where both their minds and outward appearances were put in order.
Would you like to learn more about "tying" and the use of furoshiki?
Our course will soon be available to teach you everything you need to know in order to incorporate furoshiki into your everyday life!
If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, please feel free to check it out!
Furoshiki course is now open! Click HERE to learn more and join the course.
