Furoshiki: The Japanese art of wrapping with fabric

BOOKIST March 15, 2022French author Le Marec tries her hand at explaining an ancient Japanese art. As she points out, furoshiki is the ultimate, ecologically perfect answer to the plastic-bag epidemic, as it advocates reusing or reconstructing fabric into a covering that can often get double or even triple use as a tablecloth, picnic setting, or part of a larger item, like a quilt. An upfront section outlines the history of furoshiki, considerations on "becoming green," and options for fabrics, sizes, colors,and patterns. Black-and-white illustrations show the how-tos of different fabric knotting methods within the first few pages and are also embedded in each of the 50-plus projects, along with a quality color photograph of the finished piece. Across three categories (for carrying, giftwrapping, and decorating), Le Marec showcases practical projects like a laptop bag, flower or bottle wrap, and a ready-to-hug bunny wrap that could encompass a kid’s toy. While Tomoko Kakita’s Furoshiki (2021) focused on the art of the craft, this book concentrates on its pragmatic, everyday uses.