Forgive me if I can’t seem to leave this subject, but with the holidays fast approaching and Christmas lists that need to be ticked off asap, utilizing the Japanese art of wrapping has never been more timely.
As mentioned before, the Japanese equate wrapping a gift with “wrapping the heart,” so every gift is marked by intense thoughtfulness, both for the item inside the wrapper, as well as for the person for whom the gift is for.
Harmony plays an important part in presentation— think of yin and yang. The rustic and the refined, the transient and the eternal, the earthy and the sublime: such disparities are made evident — and rendered compatible — in choices of combinations of papers and ties that both emphasize and luxuriate differences in texture as well as, perhaps differences in color or pattern. A crinkled paper lashed with knotted cord, for example, reflects that approach.
In Japan, both paper and light are considered sacred, translucent paper diffuses light and light in turn illuminates the subtle shadings and textures of paper. Screens and lanterns not only offer protection or illumination, they’re also associated spiritually with diffusion of aggression.
The opening of the package is honored — as a ritual act. Many packages enjoy the interplay of what is revealed and what is concealed, with hinges, flaps or cuts hinting at contents without disclosing them.
Here are some of the techniques used in Japanese gift wrapping:
Pleating — odd number of pleats means joy. The pleats should face directionally to the left which means celebration.
Ying & Yang — combining 2 materials is a good thing. (ie: natural materials…etc)
Printing or colors & textures — it’s creative for designs to be pre-printed on paper.
Bowing — use a simple note.
[tags]Christmas, Holidays, Gift Wrapping, Paper, Wrapping techniques[/tags]