One of my favorite things I love about Japan is the beautiful furoshiki. This stretchy textured fabric can be bought in a variety of sizes but it is always square. The bright colors and patterns often depict the well-known icons of Japan like cherry blossoms or Mt. Fuji.

These small sized squares are mostly used for wrapping up your obento (boxed lunch) but they can be used to wrap up anything you are carrying like a book, food or a package. I've used them often to wrap up a still-warm pan of brownies or baked goods when taking them to church or a friend's house. In Japan, almost everything is carried in some sort of bag; paper, plastic or cloth. Furoshiki's can even be giant sized to wrap up and carry bedding like a futon mat. 

Furoshiki's can also be used as decorations that are hung on the wall. But I haven't seen any of my Japanese friends do this, so I wonder if those shops are catering to the foreign tourist who is wondering how to use and display this pretty fabric swatch. I am always on the look out for unique or seasonal designs. I already have several in my kitchen cupboard, but since they are so beautiful and useful, I don't think you could have too many furoshiki's.