How to Wrap a Furoshiki: 5 Easy Ways to Tie a Japanese Wrapping Cloth

A furoshiki is a square Japanese wrapping cloth that has been used for centuries to carry, gift and store almost anything. With a few simple knots it becomes a gift wrap, a handbag or a shoulder bag — and when you don't need it, it folds small enough to keep in your pocket. Here is the one knot you need, how to choose a size, three ways to turn a furoshiki into a bag, and two classic wraps, shown with the NAGARE super water-repellent furoshiki (96 × 96 cm) from Kiryu, Japan.

In the illustrations, the four corners of the cloth are marked a, b, c and d. Grey shows the back (reverse) side of the cloth.

The Basic Knot: Square Knot (Ma-musubi)

Almost every furoshiki wrap uses the square knot. It holds firmly, sits flat and is easy to untie.

1. Cross the two corners, with the left one in front.
2. Wrap b around a.
3. Pull both ends up.
4. Cross the ends again — this time with b in front.
5. Wrap a around b and pull it through.
6. Pull to the left and right to shape the knot. When the ends point sideways, it is correct. If they point up and down, it is a "granny knot" — untie it and redo steps 4–5 the other way.

To untie: pull one end straight so it becomes a straight line, then slide the knot off it.

Choosing a Size

• About 45–50 cm: lunch boxes, small items, a tissue box.
• About 70 cm: a box of sweets, one bottle of wine, a small extra bag.
• About 90–96 cm: a large bottle, an eco bag or a shoulder bag. NAGARE's 96 cm size is ideal for bags.
• About 100–105 cm: two bottles, larger loads, a backpack.

Not sure? Around 70 cm is the easiest size to start with. For bags, choose 90 cm or larger.

1. Handbag

A simple handbag with two handles. With a water-repellent furoshiki like NAGARE, this is also the shape for carrying water.

1. Spread the furoshiki flat.
2. Tie a single knot (overhand knot) at one corner.
3. Tie a single knot at all four corners. Keep the knots at the same distance from the tips so the bag sits evenly.
4. Tie neighbouring corners together with a square knot — a with b, and c with d — to make two handles.

2. Shoulder Bag

A roomy bag you can carry on your shoulder — handy as a sub-bag for shopping or for carrying a few things. A larger furoshiki (90–105 cm) holds more.

1. Hold corners a and b and tie them firmly with a square knot, leaving the end of a long. Tie c and d the same way, leaving the end of c long.
2. You now have a bag with two long ends, a and c.
3. Tie the tips of a and c together with a square knot and put it over your shoulder.

Tip: leaving a and c longer makes it easier to adjust the strap length. Tie the shoulder knot firmly so it doesn't come undone.

3. Kiryu-Style Bag

A neat bag with a flap, from Kiryu — the textile town where NAGARE is made. It takes a little practice, but the result looks like a real handbag.

1. Spread the furoshiki with the pattern side down.
2. Tie the two corners nearest you together with a square knot. (This knot will be hidden when the bag is finished.)
3. Take the far left corner and bring it over the knot toward you.
4. Pass it through the loop under the knot from the front, and pull it out to the right.
5. Do the same with the far right corner: pass it through the loop and pull it out to the side.
6. Hold the two corners you pulled out and draw them apart to the left and right.
7. Shape the bag neatly — the side nearest you becomes the flap.
8. Tie the two corners together on top with a square knot to make the handle.

Watch it step by step in our video: Kiryu-style furoshiki bag (YouTube)

4. Gift Wrap (Otsukai-zutsumi)

The most common way to wrap a box of sweets, a lunch box, books or documents — the classic wrap for bringing a gift.

1. Place the item in the center of the furoshiki and fold the near corner over it.
2. Fold the far corner over the top.
3. Tie the left and right corners with a square knot, pulling the slack at the sides inward as you tie.
4. Done — the corners of the box come out neatly.

Tip: a furoshiki whose diagonal is about three times the longest side of the item gives the best balance.

5. Bottle Wrap (Bin-zutsumi)

A smart way to carry a tall bottle of sake, shochu or wine — a lovely way to bring a bottle as a gift.

1. Stand the bottle in the center of the furoshiki.
2. Hold corners a and b and tie them with a square knot above the cap.
3. Hold corners c and d and cross them around the bottle.
4. Tie c and d in front with a square knot.
5. If you want a handle, tie the ends of the a–b knot once more to make a loop.

Only with a Water-Repellent Furoshiki

NAGARE has a super water-repellent finish that lasts even after 100 washes, so it can do things an ordinary cloth cannot.

• Carry water: tie it as a handbag (method 1) and it holds water like a bucket — handy at the beach, a campsite or in an emergency.
• Rain cover: drape it over a basket, a bicycle basket or a backpack to keep things dry in a sudden shower.
• Wet items: wrap a damp swimsuit or towel instead of using a plastic bag.

Find Your Furoshiki

NAGARE is made by Asakura Senpu, a dyeing company in the textile city of Kiryu, Gunma. It comes in 19 designs, from calm checks and stripes to bright florals — choose one for yourself, or wrap a gift in it so the wrapping becomes part of the present.

Shop the NAGARE Water-Repellent Furoshiki (96 cm) →