Gift wrapping in the UK is a far cry from the artistry practised in Japan. Hastily packaged with too much sellotape, 5 minutes before the party in the back of the car, unwrapping is just as unceremonious, with paper ripped apart and disregarded without thought. If only we took joy in wrapping our gifts to be gently unfolded by our loved ones, we may find the giving of gifts becomes less about the money and the object and more about the impulse that started in the heart.
Let us unfold the layers and find out how it's done, and discover what is behind the art of Japanese gift wrapping.
Take a piece of paper
Paper arrived in Japan with the Buddhist monks from China as far back as 610AD. Within a century, they had mastered the art of paper making, using the inner bark of native trees and produced washi. (WA) meaning Japanese and (SHI) meaning paper. The fibres are soaked in clear river water and filtered through bamboo screens. The result is a light, durable, versatile paper with endless uses. It's strong enough to be sewn and has been used to line kimonos and to make furniture, including light-diffusing shoji screens.
The production has become so ingrained in some community identities that UNESCO have included it on the 'List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity'. Although the tradition of handmade washi is declining, with only a few families left practising the art, the Japanese love of paper is still strong, with luxury papers being used to wrap gifts. For the Japanese, paper is not simply a covering but an important element of the gift itself.
L: Photo by Redd F
Fold it - Pleat it - Tie it
When you run your hand over the warmth of the washi paper and contemplate your first fold, you are following in the fingerprints of centuries of artistry and paper folding traditions. The most well-known paper craft is origami. Taught in Japanese schools, boxes to hold gifts can be constructed, and animals and figures like paper cranes and blossoms can be added once the gift is wrapped. This is a great way to transform unwanted paper into something clever and thoughtful.
Another way to adorn your package is to pleat the paper to create a decorative effect. Custom dictates that an odd number of pleats are used to wrap a gift for an auspicious occasion. Mizuhiki, a decorative cord, is often used to bind a package and to ornament the gift. The colour and type of knot vary and signify the occasion. The Hanamusabi knot, for example, is easy to undo and represents an event you would like to be repeated. The Musubiki, however, cannot be untied and is often used for funerary gifts. If you are all fingers and thumbs, you may like to investigate Washi Tape. This can be used to seal gifts or create simple patterns to enliven your packages. Reels come in all shapes and sizes and are made from rice paper.
Present your gift
The Japanese are masters of aesthetics, beauty, and elegance in almost everything they do. When it comes to presentation, they are considered world leaders and are natural at branding. From the sacred precision of chefs like Niki Nakayama to the ritualised make-up and attire of the traditional geisha, everything is considered and mindful – attention to detail is everything. Even the humblest grocery item can be packaged with the greatest care.
In Japanese gift wrapping, presentation is everything. It is not simply the thought that counts but how this thought is executed. A present must be well wrapped to be worth giving.
Wrapped in layers of paper and tissue, bound with history and symbolism, you offer your gift. They lean forward to accept, and you experience the simple yet poignant moment when the gap between you is filled. Complex on many levels but sacred in its human simplicity.
When the paper or cloth is gently unfolded, you will notice that great care is taken; impatient pulling and tearing are considered rude and rough-mannered. There is something compelling about things sealed up with love; it encourages slow unfolding. The unwrapping processes should take time; enjoy it.
R: Photo by Galen Crout