We are inspired by materials that can be reused and those with multipurpose uses. While we lived in Japan we became accustomed to wrapping items in cloth instead of paper or plastic. There is a long tradition of cloth wrapping in Japan and the word 'furoshiki' describes this tradition. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"The name furoshiki was applied during the Muromachi period, which lasted from 1136 to 1573. It is believed the Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, a Shogun during this era, installed a large bathhouse in his residence and invited feudal lords to stay and use the facility. These guests would wrap their kimonos in furoshiki cloth while they bathed as to not confuse them..." ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Our years living in Japan taught us about the elegance and comfort of using cloth to wrap our lunch boxes. It is a great way to carry your lunch to the park, to work or school without the need for plastic or paper which quickly turns into trash. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"Furoshiki usage declined in the post-war period, in large part due the proliferation of paper and plastic bags available to shoppers. In recent years, however, it has seen a renewed interest as environmental protection has become a greater concern."

Textiles in Japan have inspired us for many years. We especially loved the tradition of wrapping gifts with beautiful reusable designs, with furoshiki cloths. After opening the cloth can be repurposed as a wrap for other items or as a decorative element in your home. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"The original inhabitants of Japan (people of the Jômon Culture) wove cloth of plant fiber. Invaders from the northeast Asian mainland established the Yayoi Culture in Japan beginning around 300 B.C.E., introducing new materials (including ramie and silk) and techniques. But a recognizably Japanese textile culture can be said to have begun in the Yamato Period (c. 300-710 C.E.), when aristocratic clans and the emergent monarchy led to a greatly increased demand for fine fabrics, especially of silk."

During our five years living in Tokyo, we admired the juxtaposition between ancient and modern. Many traditions had endured because of the access between ranks and classes of citizens in Japan. Furoshiki cloth wrapping was both elegant and formal as well as accessible and practical. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"The introduction of Buddhism in the mid-sixth century swelled the demand for fine textiles for ecclesiastical use. Some of these textiles were imported from mainland Asia, but increasing amounts were produced in Japan. Weavers, dyers and other textile workers from Korea and China were encouraged to settle in Japan under court patronage; the production of textiles was both patronized and regulated by the state..."⠀

In 2006, Japanese Minister of the Environment, Yuriko Koike, showcased a specially-designed furoshiki cloth to promote environmental awareness:

"I've created what you might call a "mottainai furoshiki". The Japanese word mottainai means it's a shame for something to go to waste without having made use of its potential in full. The furoshiki is made of a fiber manufactured from recycled PET bottles, and has a birds-and-flowers motif drawn by Itoh Jakuchu, a painter of the mid-Edo era."⠀

Yuriko Koike, explains her love of the use of traditional furoshiki cloth wraps a reusable, multi-purpose solution replacing much of the single use paper and plastic waste in our lives:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

"It's much better than plastic bags you receive at supermarkets or wrapping paper, since it's highly resistant, reusable and multipurpose. In fact, it's one of the symbols of traditional Japanese culture, and puts an accent on taking care of things and avoiding wastes. It would be wonderful if the furoshiki, as a symbol of traditional Japanese culture, could provide an opportunity for us to reconsider the possibilities of a sound-material cycle society. As my sincere wish, I would like to disseminate the culture of the furoshiki to the entire world."⠀⠀⠀

Our Fortuna bandanas/furoshiki are great for wrapping all kinds of things! Hand printed on 100% cotton using eco-ink by the awesome team at Raw Paw collective in Austin, Texas each bandana or furoshiki was designed by our Fortuna team and can be washed either by hand or machine. Our bandanas are part of our #MerchForChange initiative and 100% of the profits will be reinvested in the important work being done by independent photojournalist Andrea Murcia in support of her work documenting the current uprisings in Mexico.