Kyo-Yuzen | Pure Silk Crepe Furoshiki: Changing the Look of Gifts with Three Tying Methods
When wrapping a gift, will you choose a few hundred yen worth of wrapping paper, or a pure silk furoshiki that can be used for decades without fading? Woven in Tango, Kyoto, and dyed color by color by Kyo-Yuzen artisans using a shading technique, this furoshiki changes its expression just by changing how it is tied. It is a piece that will stay with you for a long time, serving as a handkerchief, a tablecloth, or a gift wrap.
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The item introduced here is Pure Silk Crepe Furoshiki Kyo-Yuzen Furoshiki Pure Silk Crepe Two-Width Shikishi Gray ■ Hirai Yusen (¥12,100).
The Background of This Craft
The name Yuzen-zome is said to originate from Miyazaki Yuzensai, a fan painter who was active in the early Edo period. The elegant patterns he drew became popular and were applied to kimono dyeing, which is considered the beginning of Kyo-Yuzen. Since then, Kyoto artisans have been honing their skills for over three hundred years. Tango crepe, woven in the Tango region of northern Kyoto Prefecture, is used for the fabric. Because the humid climate unique to the basin near the sea was suitable for the twisting process that creates the fine 'shibo' (texture/unevenness) in silk thread, the weaving and dyeing industries developed through a division of labor. It takes many hands to create a single furoshiki: the artisan who twists the thread, the artisan who weaves the fabric, and the artisan who dyes the pattern.
Related article: Kyo-Sensu Hasegawa Cherry Blossom Pattern Karaki Clove Carving also features traditional Kyoto crafts.
Artisan Skills and Dedication
Hirai Yusen's furoshiki are finished using the 'Itaba Yuzen' technique, where colors are dyed one by one onto pure silk Tango crepe using stencils. It features bold color schemes of traditional compositions such as pine, bamboo, and plum, or shikishi (colored paper) patterns, and is characterized by the 'bokashi' (shading) texture where colors gently bleed from the edges of the fabric. It has a look unique to handiwork, with the artisan's brushstrokes remaining in a way that machine printing cannot replicate. The fine shibo unique to crepe makes it resistant to wrinkling even after washing, and it also has the practicality of gently protecting the items wrapped inside. The lustrous sheen and supple texture are a luxury unique to pure silk.
Reason for Choosing This Product
I chose the Shikishi Gray color because the pine, bamboo, and plum pattern is not too flashy, and it is a calm color that is easy to give as a gift regardless of gender or age. Hirai Yusen's furoshiki come in a variety of sizes and colors, from the 45cm 'chuhaba' (medium width) to the 68cm 'futahaba' (two-width), and even reversible styles that allow you to use two colors. Being able to choose according to your purpose and budget is also the charm of this workshop's furoshiki.
For a medium-width size, Kyo-Yuzen Furoshiki Pure Silk Crepe Medium Width (45cm) Tetsu-Nando/Bengara-Shu ■ Hirai Yusen (¥7,860), if you are looking for a different color in the same two-width size, Pure Silk Crepe Furoshiki Kyo-Yuzen Furoshiki Pure Silk Crepe Two-Width Shikishi Rose ■ Hirai Yusen (¥12,100), and if you want to add a touch of glamour for a gift, Pure Silk Crepe Furoshiki Kyo-Yuzen Furoshiki Pure Silk Crepe Two-Width Front: Purple Back: Green ■ Hirai Yusen (¥18,400) is also recommended.
Situations to Use It
If you keep a furoshiki in your everyday bag, it will come in handy in unexpected situations. Whether you are wrapping a last-minute gift, bringing a wine bottle or a sake bottle, or want to add a little color to your table, its charm lies in its versatility: wrapping, spreading, and hanging. In particular, a pure silk furoshiki has the formality to be appropriate for both celebratory and mourning occasions, so having one gives you peace of mind.
For formal gift-giving occasions, such as wrapping wedding or baby shower gifts
When you want to upgrade simple packaging for seasonal greetings like O-chugen or O-seibo
When you want to create a little hospitality by spreading it on a tray or table when guests arrive
After you are done using it, you can also use it as a handkerchief or scarf, making it a multi-purpose item.
Care and tips for long-term use
Pure silk is sensitive to water and is a material that easily stains or shrinks if washed improperly. Basically, it is safest to gently wipe only the soiled areas with a tightly wrung-out cloth, and if you need to wash the whole thing, take it to a dry cleaner. If you must wash it at home, use a neutral detergent for delicate clothes, press-wash it, and then lay it flat to dry in a well-ventilated, shaded area.
For washing delicate clothes, a neutral detergent like Emaru Laundry Detergent for Delicate Clothes, Refreshing Green Scent, 460g bottle (¥380) is convenient.
Since trapped moisture can cause mold and discoloration, store it folded in a paulownia box or at the back of a drawer when not in use, and air it out a few times a year to make it last longer.
Other masterpieces from the same region you might want to consider
If you collect Hirai Yusen furoshiki in different colors and patterns, you will have more fun choosing one to match the recipient or the occasion. For those who prefer calm colors, we recommend the medium-width Iron Indigo/Bengala Red (¥7,860), and if you prioritize glamour, the reversible two-width Purple/Green (¥18,400). It is also recommended to use different colors for personal use and for gifts.
Points to consider when choosing for gifts and anniversaries
When giving a furoshiki as a gift, you can avoid mistakes by being mindful of the size of the item you are wrapping and whether the color and pattern match the recipient's age and preferences. Auspicious patterns like pine, bamboo, and plum are perfect for wedding or longevity celebrations, while simple shikishi (square) patterns are versatile designs that are easy for anyone of any age to use. Having a dedicated box, such as a paulownia box, significantly elevates its status as a gift.
Summary
A Kyo-Yuzen furoshiki is born from the combined efforts of artisans who spin the thread, weave the fabric, and dye the cloth. This piece, which shows a different expression every time you tie it, is sure to become a tool that is long cherished by both the giver and the user.
Read more: Nishijin-ori Tie, The Navy, Navy Blue
Read more: Nishijin Fukusa, Fukushodo, Houndstooth
Read more: Kyo-Sensu Folding Fan, Hasegawa, Cherry Blossom Pattern, Carved Ebony Wood
If you would like to check the product again, please click here: Pure Silk Crepe Furoshiki, Kyo-Yuzen Furoshiki, Pure Silk Crepe Two-Width, Shikishi Gray - Hirai Yusen
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Note: This article contains affiliate links using the Amazon Associates Program. If you make a purchase through these links, the author will receive a certain commission, but this will not affect the selection or evaluation of the products in any way.