Photo : ©Association culturelle franco-japonaise Talachiné
Furoshiki Workshop: Introduction to the art of wrapping & eco-bags
Furoshiki workshop, introduction to the art of wrapping & eco-bags in collaboration with Idées Japon 2026 as part of the European Week for Waste Reduction 2026.
Bastille Design Center (Paris 11th)
About
Furoshiki, the art of wrapping and creating Zero Waste eco-bags in Japanese culture
Furoshiki is a Japanese tradition that involves wrapping and carrying all kinds of objects with a square piece of fabric. The practice of Furoshiki, a Japanese technique of folding and tying fabric, allows for the creation of bags and gift wraps that are modular and infinitely reusable. It also allows for discovering Japanese culture through an everyday art, as well as textiles (materials, patterns, etc.). In this workshop, participants will discover techniques for making bags as well as wrappings (for bottles, books, boxes...). The workshop raises participants' awareness of sustainable environments and, more specifically, the reduction of plastic bag and paper packaging consumption.
Furoshiki, the art of wrapping & zero-waste eco-bags in collaboration with Idées Japon 2026 as part of the European Week for Waste Reduction 2026
Participants will experiment with two types of furoshiki, of different dimensions and materials. After the session, they will be able to take home a furoshiki fabric (solid color, size 68cm x 68cm) as well as a diagram of the wrapping techniques.
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Location: Bastille Design Center (room 7, 1st floor), 74 Bd Richard Lenoir 75011 Paris
Fee: 38 euros
Ages 7 and up
Instructor: Akiyo KAJIWARA, textile artist and cultural/artistic teacher.
Our take on this event
Trade single-use wrapping paper for the Japanese tradition of fabric folding, a clever and eco-friendly skill to master this weekend. You will leave knowing how to turn any scrap of cloth into a stylish, reusable gift wrap or carry-all, perfect for elevating your daily life.
Discover the Japanese tradition of furoshiki, the elegant art of folding and knotting fabric to create reusable bags and gift wraps. On Saturday, November 21, 2026, at the Bastille Design Center, textile artist Akiyo Kajiwara will lead a hands-on session focusing on sustainable packaging as part of the European Week for Waste Reduction. Open to anyone aged 7 and up, this two-hour workshop provides a creative approach to reducing plastic waste. Participants will leave the session with their own 68cm x 68cm furoshiki cloth and a reference guide for the techniques learned.
This workshop, organized in collaboration with Idées Japon 2026 for the European Week for Waste Reduction, explores the functional beauty of Japanese fabric wrapping. Participants will work with different materials and dimensions to master the art of creating modular bags and specialized wraps for items like books or bottles. Led by textile expert Akiyo Kajiwara, the experience highlights both the aesthetic and environmental benefits of this zero-waste practice.
The event takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from 16:30 to 18:30 at the Bastille Design Center, 74 boulevard Richard Lenoir, 75011 Paris (room 7, first floor). It is designed for children and adults aged 7 and above.
The cost for the session is 38 euros. Each attendee will receive a solid-colored 68cm x 68cm furoshiki fabric to take home, along with a schematic diagram of the folding techniques to ensure you can continue practicing these sustainable habits long after the workshop ends.
