Furoshki is the Japanese functional art practice of carrying objects in a folded cloth. On the left is a plate; on the right a number of books.
Things can be carried flat (as a pie or a basket of freshly baked buns)
Or more like a pocket or pack for books or knitting.
Go here to see directions for various shapes.
I use it a lot for gift wrapping. These are 'real' furoshki cloths (made for that purpose with traditional fabric and designs) but anything can be used, of course – scarves, napkins, dishcloths etc. - and the wrapping becomes a gift as well.
As for neck napkins? Well, a few days ago I was in a restaurant and noticed a business man with a large paper napkin tucked into his shirt collar. He looked quite dashing. How sensible to protect clothing – in public – in this way. Since it was a sushi restaurant the thought of furoshki soonest came to mind along with the idea of less spots on clothing meaning less strain on the environment for their removal; and the again 'greener' aspects of cloth napkins compared to paper.
When I got home I got out my furoshki cloths and tried this one on Helpful Hank. Looked just fine to me. I am going to take it with me at lunch time and see how it feels to use it in a restaurant.
I agree there is likely a fine line between 'bib' and 'neck napkin' but, as I said, that gentleman changed my perspective.
What do you think? What is your experience?
I am curious enough about this whole idea to offer to send this furoshki cloth to anyone who gets in touch here and would be willing to take it to a few restaurants and use it as a neck napkin, report on the response of both the user and those around him/her. And maybe also give some feedback on the cloth as a carryall.
Comments
5 responses to “Furoshki……..neck napkins”
I love the idea of a cloth as a carryall … reminds me of the Puss in Boots story where he has the hobo stick. I think it is a wonderful idea to use as a neck napkin and it seems to me that a restaurant in Toronto, The Old Spaghetti Factory, provided this sort of thing a long time ago. I do remember some friends telling me about being all dressed up and having something provided to cover their fancy dresses (of course it could of just been napkins). I have used this idea for wrapping gifts … tea towels to wrap kitchen items, towels to wrap bathroom items. I’m all for the double purpose wrapping to cut down on waste.
Hi Crafty Thanks for the feedback. And I think using such things as tea towels and towels as wrapping is ‘simply’ wonderful as well.
I have two adult bibs that are plastic lined…they are either for eating lobster or for me when I go to a nursing home…but I’m not giving them away!!
this meme request is killing me….7 things about myself that no one knows…everyone knows everything about me…I think!
1. My Dad was a Lutheran Minister
2. My Dad was born in Russia
3. My Mom was born in Switzerland
4. I am the middle child of FIVE children…a sister and brother older and a sister and brother younger.
5. I married a policeman
6. I divorced the policeman after 34 years of marriage..when I went for my ‘get a grip on life’ therapy after my divorce the therapist said to me, after I told him the 5 ‘steps’ listed above’, “Tell me..who are YOU?”…without missing a beat I said “I’m paying you $150.00 @ hr..YOU tell me who I am!”…he laughed….
7. I am a mother, a grandmother,a sibling, a friend to many, an artist, a knitter, and definitely a Libra…always balancing things in my life (even my bankbook!).
Well, the give away one looks too much like a bib I had when I was 3. I like the orange one on Hank better.
Back when I used to fly, and they served meals, would have been very useful. Something about the tight elbows and seats used to make me miss my mouth:) I use Amtrak these days and yeah I would use it. The food you get in the food service car is mostly messy and greasy. Messing up a shirt while traveling 250 miles on a train is a lot worst than a restaurant. Being able to function as a carry all would be useful too, as like most people, always seem to be buying something at Union Station, DC, while waiting for a train.
check out the, unfortunately paper product, the dress for dinner napkins.
http://www.spoonsisters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=51354
Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning.