Japanese Furoshiki Goldfish - 50x50 cm

Japanese furoshiki, 100% cotton, 50x50 cm, printed with goldfish and morning glories

Having arrived from China around five centuries ago, goldfish, or kingyo, have become one of the symbols of the Japanese summer. The town of Yamatokōriyama, near Nara, has been breeding them since the Edo period. On this Japanese furoshiki, Hamamonyo pairs them with morning glories (asagao), flowers that only bloom in the morning.

To give as a gift, wrap up a bar of handmade soap, a candle or a tea bag in it: the firm, slightly textured shantung cotton creates a neat package without a single piece of sticky tape. When you’re out and about, the tied corners turn it into a little bag for carrying your snack or your swimming costume. And with a pattern like this, it’s impossible to forget who gave you this gift, even if you have the memory of a goldfish...