Tsutsumu means to wrap or bundle up. The character originated as a representation of a child enclosed in its mother’s womb.That which is precious, we wrap up to protect. Glimpses of this sentiment can be seen in scenes from everyday life, showing that it is still being passed on in Japanese culture. The act of tsutsumu is revealing of the Japanese people’s consideration and aesthetics.

Furoshiki are the original Japanese eco-bag. In terms of versatility they are far ahead of the paper bags and wrapping used nowadays. Any object, even irregularly-shaped ones, can be wrapped.
Furoshiki are easy to tie and the finished product looks beautiful. They can be folded up compactly after use and used many times over. Could any other wrapping material be so practical?
There are various theories about the origins of the word furoshiki (furo[bath] + shiki [spread out]), but records from the Muromachi period (1333-1568) show that feudal lords wrapped their clothing in a cloth marked with their family crest at the bath house, and used this cloth to stand on afterwards while dressing and grooming themselves again. In the Edo period (1600-1868) furoshiki marked with brand and trade names apparently became popular and were used as a form of product advertising.
In modern times furoshiki are still utilized in a variety of ways. In the past, the sight of anyone dressed in western clothing clutching a furoshiki would have given an odd, mismatched impression, but recently an increasing number of people are using furoshiki instead of a simple bag or purse. This writer is one such person—I always have two or three furoshiki in my travel bag. They are perfect for bundling up changes of clothes, and also for wrapping up small objects or things I buy when I’m away. They’re also handy to scrunch up and stuff into the gaps inside my luggage as cushioning.