Japanese Traditional Ecoproduct "Furoshiki"

“Furoshiki” is a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth used to
wrap gifts, clothes, and other goods.

Furoshiki means “bath spread”, deriving from the usage of bundling clothes
at public baths in the Edo Period (1603-1867).
Its usage have then extended to protect goods
when transporting and decorating goods for presents.

Furoshikis are made of silk, cotton, rayon, or nylon.
Furoshiki requires numerous wrapping techniques;
there are many ways and many things that are wrapped with furoshikis.
The wrapping methods vary in size and shape.

Furoshiki was very common since the Nara period (AD 710-794),
known as "Hirazutsumi" back then, but the usage of it has declined
since the postwar period due to the introduction of plastic bags.
Many of the young Japanese people today have negative images
about furoshiki as “bag for old people”.

Recently, past Japanese minister of environment and various environmental
organizations have been promoting active usage of furoshiki.
With rising awareness and environmental trend,
many brands in Japan are collaboratively producing furoshikis
with trendy design and easy instruction where young people can easily wrap
in their own unique style.

Little by little, furoshiki is becoming labeled as
"cool traditional eco-friendly product".

Revival :
New type of "furoshiki" are now revived as fashionable products.
For instance, you can find here PC wrapping furoshiki.
http://assiston.co.jp/?item=231
(only in Japanese)