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Furoshiki
Basically, the furoshiki is a square wrapping cloth made of silk, artificial silk or cotton. The object to be wrapped is placed crosswise on the cloth and opposing corners are carefully tied together so as to make a neat parcel. On one level, the furoshiki is a kind of instant shopping bag, carrier bag or briefcase. As part of Japanese social custom, however, it has been used for generations as the essential outer wrapping to any important gift. Naturally, the more important the gift, the more costly the furoshiki in which it is presented. At weddings, for example, the gift for each guest is wrapped in a specially-ordered furoshiki bearing a felicitous design.