Wrap This!

Monday was our last full day in Tokyo and began with a lesson in Furoshiki from Ms. Morita.



We weren't alone.



These energy company employees took 90 minutes out of their busy day to learn how to reduce their dependence on plastic bags...by wrapping their purchases...





...or making a hat...



...in elegently designed cloth.



Ms. Mortia has been pushing the benefits of Furoshiki for over a decade and has written several books - not only as an ingenius and playful way to wrap our consumables but also a way to preserve a fading Japanese tradition in the onslaught of convenient plastic packaging.



Dating back to the 8th century, these lovely textiles have been used as transport devices for merchants as well as laundry wraps in bath houses, gifts at weddings or funerals, and symbols to ward off evil spirits.



There are only a few traditional ways to wrap the Furoshiko but Mr. Morita has since developed over 100 designs like the Kimono Beauty.



The businessmen fumbled and smiled their way through the lesson and were good sports in going to the front of the class and acting the guinea pig, despite Cryptic Moth's ever-present cameras.





And while neither of us spoke the same language and required an interpreter (thanks go to Nikki), I could literally feel Ms. Morita's positive energy and enthusiasm for form with meaning. She had an angelic spirit and it was a priviledge to meet her.



Then back for to the hotel to pack for Australia...but not until a send-off "traditional" dinner with Tosh and Yoshi.



Ian ate a fish head. Gad ate eel. Yoshi had drinks and Tosh "the cleaner" finished off that which we left behind. The restaurant itself was spectacular but the company, even better.



It was hard to leave Japan. As crazy and surreal as it first seemed, we really got used to the efficient public transport, the rythym of crowd traffic, the barrage of stimuli, eclectic foods and down-home hospitality. Our regards to the friends and allies formed. We will miss you.



Out.

G+I