Five traditional Japanese household goods that are also zero waste

Long before plastic was invented, people all over the world were using natural, decomposable or reusable goods in their daily lives. I’d like to introduce you to some of my favorite traditional Japanese crafts that continue to help us live waste-free lives today.

1. Furoshiki wrapping cloth

A furoshiki is a traditional, square wrapping cloth. They were first used in the 8th century to protect precious objects. In modern times, they are used to wrap anything from a casual gift, to your clothes or a large lunch box, to make it easy to transport them. Traditionally, furoshiki are made of silk or cotton, but artificial fibers like polyester and rayon are now also used.

There are various techniques for wrapping furoshiki, which can vary according to the object being wrapped. Since tying the ends of the furoshiki together hold it firm, the cloth is all you need to wrap a parcel. Lengths of 50 centimeters and 70 cm are most common, but furoshiki as big as about 2.3 meters exist and were traditionally used to carry household objects, like a futon, when moving house.

Needless to say, furoshiki are reusable and available in many beautiful designs.

2. Magewappa lunch box

Over the past few years, the Japanese word “bento,” meaning “lunch box,” has spread globally. Many people know that bento culture is a big part of Japan. It has a particular style of attractive presentation of a variety of dishes, such as rice or rice balls, rolled egg, fried fish, or chicken and cooked vegetables, too. But what about the art of the box itself? This is a unique, traditional culture in its own right.

Magewappa is a type of bento box made of thinly sliced wood that has been bent into shape. It is environmentally friendly and is excellent at keeping food fresh. Magewappa lunchboxes are usually made of cedar or cypress, and woven with cherry tree bark to hold them in place. The wood has a natural sterilizing effect and absorbs excess moisture, which helps keep food fresh. Unlike plastic lunch boxes, water droplets from warm food don’t gather on the inside of the lid.

The history of magewappa lunch boxes is said to span about 400 years.

3. Kyogi food sheets

Kyogi is a thin sheet of wood that has been used in Japan since the 3rd century to wrap raw or cooked food. This also uses cedar or cypress wood, whose antibacterial properties help protect the food. My mother used to wrap my rice balls in kyogi sheets, which I loved because they would ensure that a nice amount of moisture stayed in my lunch to keep it tasty.

Good ventilation ability means that kyogi help maintain food freshness. They are also absorbent and are used by various businesses, including butcher shops, fish shops and sushi restaurants, and they are also used to wrap various items, such as Japanese confectionery, natto (fermented soybeans), fried food, takoyaki (octopus balls), etc. Unlike plastic wrap, kyogi can biodegrade quickly.
These paper-thin sheets of wood are said to have originally been made for people to write Buddhist sutras on.

4. Take-kago basket

“Kago” means “basket” in Japanese, and they are traditionally made from bamboo (“take”). Take-kago became popular during the Edo era (1603-1867).

Handmade baskets are an easy way to create an elegant and stylish feel. Nowadays, there are many types of shopping bags, or reusable bags, made of different materials, including nylon, polyester, and cotton. Nylon and polyester are suitable for mass production and they are robust, but they are not environmentally friendly as they are made from fossil fuel and may generate microplastic. Cotton is a better option, but producing it requires a large quantity of water. Bamboo, however, grows quickly and does not need a lot of water, making it not only elegant, but environmentally friendly, too.

5. Zashikiboki indoor broom

Zashikiboki is a type of broom that is used inside the house to sweep wooden floors or tatami floor mats. They are made of natural materials such as great millet, kochia, and palm leaves.
Most people nowadays use electric vacuum cleaners or cleaning robots, but I am a fan of the broomstick. I cannot stand the noise of cleaning machines and the unnecessary use of electricity. Moreover, an average vacuum cleaner only lasts about 8 years, whereas an average broomstick can last between 10 and 20 years. With a natural broomstick, you can save household energy use and cut down on the number of your home appliances.

Traditional approaches often also offer a deeper wisdom. In the case if zashikiboki brooms, the type for use on tatami are made from great millet because the oil contained in the grass polishes tatami mats. Fascinating, isn’t it?

What hints can you share for low-waste living?

Thanks for allowing me to share my favorite old, but innovative, Japanese items with you. I hope they inspire you and improve your life. Please share with us any ideas you have that can help us live with less waste and in greater harmony with the environment.

For more zero waste in Japan