Japanese `wrappers' introduce an ancient, unusual art form

By Yenni Kwok

JAKARTA (JP): More than 70 members of the Ikebana clubs shared a unique glimpse of Japanese culture at a Japanese gift-wrapping workshop presented by expert, Kunio Ekiguchi, last Sunday and Monday.

"We want to introduce Japanese culture beyond kabuki or Kurosawa," said Masaya Shimoyama, assistant director of the Japan Foundation in Jakarta. "The art of Japanese wrapping needs to be seen as a part of the Japanese culture. Moreover, wrapping is universal; it is everywhere. So, people can relate to it easily."

Indeed, Ekiguchi acknowledges the influence of other cultures on the Japanese culture. Dressed in a cream kimono and dark-blue obi (Japanese cloth belt), the 64-year-old man with glasses said, "My kimono has a Korean influence. The motif of my obi may come from Indonesia."

Those to experience this Japanese art form on Sunday were members of Dharma Wanita (Organization of Civil Servants' Wives), Bina Antar Budaya, the mass media and BK3S (the Coordinating Board for Social Affairs Activities). Students from Jakarta's Teachers Training Institute and Jakarta's Art Institute, as well as department-store employees, attended Monday's sessions.

The art of wrapping has two important elements: tsutsumi (wrapping) and musubi (tying), said Ekiguchi, who is visiting Indonesia under the sponsorship of the Japan Foundation.

The philosophy behind tsutsumi is to protect gifts or offerings for the gods from evils, or mono-imi, said Ekiguchi. People aged 60 and over in Japan generally use red colors for celebrations, said Ekiguchi.

The mizuhiki, or the Japanese ribbon, consists of several strings. It has two functions -- an ornament, and a symbol to keep away the evil spirits. The mizuhiki must be firm and strong, especially for wedding gifts, because it needs to symbolize a strong union.

There are different kinds of mizuhiki, depending on the occasion. For happy occasions, such as weddings, the mizuhiki has five strings, Ekiguchi explained. For sad occasions, such as funerals, people will generately use a mizuhiki of four and make a single knot.

The colors also differ depending on the occasion. For those which hopefully happen once in a lifetime, people will use conservative colors, such as black and white or grey and white.

For happy occasions, on the other hand, people will use kaeshimusubi or awabimusubi, which usually have bright colors, such as red and white or gold and silver.

Ekiguchi taught both tsutsumi and musubi last Sunday. He spent more than two hours patiently demonstrating and teaching the audience to wrap boxes, bottles and chopsticks.

Assisted by Masao Kato, he first demonstrated the steps of wrapping. Then, Ekiguchi walked around to help some of the audience.

Beautiful

"Indah (beautiful)," he said praising the work among the audience. His Indonesian pronunciation brought laughter from those in attendance.

"I really enjoyed the opportunity (of attending)," said Nani Indradjit Subardjo of the Ikebana Ikenobo Club. "Unfortunately, the time was too short. But, I am interested in studying wrapping more."

Keiko Nasution, a homemaker in Jakarta, also praised the quality of the show.

Nasution, who had previously lived in Japan for many years, said she once learned the art of wrapping in Japan while working in a department store there.

Department-store employees are the ones who learn and practice this art, Nasution added.

Ekiguchi admitted that the popularity of Japanese wrapping, especially among the younger Japanese generation, is dwindling. "It was once widespread, but its popularity has been declining. The young generation is somewhat westernized."

Ekiguchi said he tries to attract the younger generation by adding a modern touch to the artform while maintaining the basic traditional elements.

Ekiguchi has traveled to many places, such as Hawaii, the United States mainland and Thailand, to demonstrate wrapping. Moreover, he has written several books, entitled Gift Wrapping: Creative Ideas from Japan, Kami no-Shugei (Paper Craft) and Musubikata no Hon (How to Tie Knots and Bows).

He said the payment he receives from the Japan Foundation will be used to buy his own books from the publisher. He will give the books as free gifts, possibly to the Japan's Foundation.

Besides Jakarta, Ekiguchi will also visit Surabaya on Wednesday and Thursday (today).