Furoshiki (風呂敷, furoshiki) are a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that were frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. Although possibly dating back as far as the Nara period, the name, meaning "bath spread", derives from the Edo period practice of using them to bundle clothes while at the sentō (public baths). Eventually, the furoshiki's usage extended to serve as a means for merchants to transport their wares or to protect and decorate a gift. Modern furoshiki can be made of a variety of cloths, including cotton, rayon, and nylon. Although there are still furoshiki users in Japan, their numbers declined in the post-war period, in large part due to the proliferation of the plastic shopping bag.
--Lowell Silverman 00:00, 21 August 2005 (UTC)
