For a box, dried paper will be used and precise folds will be made along the corners, to highlight its geometric form for a round object, a soft, enveloping paper that adapts to the curves for a flower, hand-made paper sheets interwoven with plants to harmonize with the living element they are enclosing for an item of clothing, a light tissue paper that allows to feel the softness of the fabric. The most appropriate tsutsumi is studied and researched for a given object. The more catered to the tsutsumi, the more precious will be its symbolic value.Ī TSUTSUMI CONSIDERS THE OBJECT SOMETHING UNIQUE TO BE VALORIZED, sometimes with very simple folds, other times with long and complex folding mechanisms. To these meanings, we must add the attention and the time that are dedicated to the preparation of the tsutsumi and that denote a more important gift than the one that is wrapped: it is actually a piece of one’s life that is dedicated to this gesture. The meaning of a tsutsumi is therefore to protect a gift by enveloping it in something sacred and then offering it as a symbol of peace and harmony. Paper made in Japan through traditional methods is called “washi”, meaning both Japanese paper and the paper of peace.Īll these etymological, ritual and religious roots, turn any object – no matter how small – wrapped in a sheet of paper, into something having a high symbolic value that often requires careful care and thought in the choice of the present that will be exchanged. The pronunciation of the ideograms that mean “God” and “paper” is homophonic, “kami”, in both cases, and for this reason, wrapping in paper corresponded to wrapping in the name of the gods.įROM SIMPLE SHEETS OF PAPER in which to place food, to elaborated bowls and containers made using the origami technique (folding the paper without cutting or gluing it), the element of paper sacralized every little thing placed on the altars of the Kami, the spirits of the Shintoo present in the elements of nature. The use of paper was often something privileged as it was considered a sacred material, particularly dear to the gods. These offers were presented enveloped, protected, tied or simply resting on natural materials such as leaves, bark, bamboo, hay, stones, terracotta, paper and the like. from man in exchange for good luck, health, wellbeing, abundant harvest. The innumerable gods of the Shintoo (“way of the gods”) received ritual offers such as rice, fruit, seeds, small dried fish, etc. The tradition of exchanging gifts has a religious origin and finds its roots in Shintoism. IN MODERN JAPAN, TSUTSUMI MEANS PRESENTING GIFTS, often without wrapping them and completely hiding them, but offering them highlighted by particular materials and forms. In ancient times, some tsutsumi made for special ceremonies were not meant to be opened – it sufficed to know that whatever they contained inside was safely protected. With tsutsumi, there is first of all the aesthetic pleasure of contemplating a package without the hurry of ripping the paper and cutting the ribbons to see what’s inside. Compared to the Western concept of the package, meant as something strongly visible, the tsutsumi represents a different cultural idea: to protect the gift with simple materials, forms and colors in a sober and elegant way.
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