Design Submission for Furoshiki Design Contest 2021
Organized by The Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL)
Furoshiki is a square piece of fabric traditionally used in Japan to carry, store, or wrap objects. It is used to wrap items of various shapes and sizes ranging from boxes, bottles, music instruments, baskets to many others. It can also be used as a bag to transport items.
Objective
To showcase the talent and creativity of arts and design students in Malaysia by having them create a textile design for furoshiki by incorporating the diverse cultural elements of Malaysia and Japan.
Theme
‘Malaysia+Japan’
The design should evoke a fusion of Malaysian and Japanese cultural elements.
Design Title: Wau & Kendama
Wau and Kendama are traditional toys from Malaysia and Japan respectively. The main pattern on the Wau is inspired by Japanese Magatama beads. There are six magatama beads on the main wing of the Wau, this is because according to Malaysian Chinese numerology, the number six is associated with the word for ‘flow’, indicating a smooth progress through life, and a positive future for new ventures.
The other elements on the wau is inspired from Malaysian culture. The patterns on the Kendama is a fusion of both Japanese and Malaysian cultural elements. The circular pattern on the Kendama is both found in Japanese Wagara pattern and also Malaysian Chinese culture. The crosshatch pattern on the Kendama is inspired from the traditional Japanese Wagara pattern, San Kuzushi.
The diamond shaped pattern on the body of the Kendama is inspired by mosques in Malaysia.
The background colour of the Furoshiki is inspired from the colour that can be found in both Japan and Malaysia traditional clothing such as Kimono, Baju Kurung, Baju Melayu, Sari, and Cheongsam. Another reason for the choice of colour used for the background is so that the logo of JFKL can be seen clearly from a distance.
