Developing language and culture using furoshiki
Students learn about the history and vocabulary of furoshiki, and then try wrapping various objects.
What is Furoshiki?
A square cloth that came into use over 1,000 years ago is once more being used, this time as a tool to combat global warming. Called furoshiki, these cloths can be used to wrap and carry things of any shape and can be transformed into purses or handbags. Compact when folded, and used repeatedly, the furoshiki is a perfect example of the three Rs of environmental conservation: reduce, reuse, and recycle. More than just a way to wrap up your belongings, the furoshiki epitomizes the Japanese tradition of gift wrapping.
Step 1: Thinking about '包む' (wrapping)
Questions
- どんなときに包みますか。
- どんなものを包みますか。
- どんな気持ちで包みますか。
Step 2: Learning about ふろしき
Derivation of Furoshiki
風呂＝a bath
敷く＝spread
History of Furoshiki
Nara Era（710～794年）
ふろしきのような道具は、今から1300年以上前から使われていました。このとき、「ふろしき」という名前は、まだありませんでした。
A piece of cloth, such as what we now call furoshiki, was used more than 1300 years ago. At that time, the word “furoshiki” didn’t exist.
Muromachi Era（1338～1573年）
蒸気風呂ができました。「ふろしき」という名前が生まれました。
A steam bath was developed. The word “furoshiki” was born.
Edo Era （1603～1867年）
銭湯ができました。人々は、手ぬぐいや浴衣などをふろしきに包んで銭湯に行きました。
People made frequent use of public bathhouses. When they went to a bathhouse, they wrapped and carried their towels and washbasin in furoshiki.
Genroku Era （1688～1704年）
商業が発展しました。商人たちは、商品をふろしきに包んで運びました。
Trade was developed and traders used furoshiki to carry their products.
Meiji Era （1868～1912年）
多くの人がふろしきを使うようになりました。ふろしきを使って、服や教科書やプレゼントなど、いろいろなものを運ぶようになりました。
Many people came to use furoshiki frequently. They carried a variety of things such as clothes, books, gifts with furoshiki.
Showa Era (1926～1989年)
紙袋が登場すると、ふろしきはあまり使われなくなりました。
With the arrival of Western-style paper bags, the use of furoshiki declined.
Patterns of Furoshiki
この中におめでたい植物や生き物は、何がありますか。
Students choose images of lucky animals and plants.
TEACHER’S NOTES
The following plants and animals are considered auspicious by the Japanese. Many of these concepts came
たい because the sound appears in the word ‘medetai’
かめ because it has a long life
つる because it has a long life
まつ because it is evergreen and has a long life
うめ because it is a sturdy plant (China symbolic of patience purity)
たけ because it a strong plant which grows straight and tall very quickly
Step 3: Hands on wrapping with ふろしき
Let’s try！
Web Links
Wrapping for books, bottles, chocolates, and making a bag
http://hiratadigital.com/furoshiki.html
エリンが挑戦！にほんごできます。
