The Second International Furoshiki
Design Contest for Students
Design a Furoshiki (Wrapping Cloth) !
Submit a Design and Contribute to International Cultural Exchange
Furoshiki, or wrapping cloths, are stylish and distinctive everyday
items emblematic of the Japanese tradition of wrapping things. Since they are
reusable and therefore do not impose a burden on the environment, furoshiki
have attracted renewed interest in recent years, both in Japan and elsewhere.
In 2009 the Japan Foundation held an Original Furoshiki Design
Contest, soliciting submissions from students of design in 10 countries. A total
of 373 entries were submitted, and three were selected to receive top prizes.
Furoshiki displaying the top prize designs are now on sale at museum gift
shops and other venues in Japan.
The Japan Foundation is pleased to announce its second International
Furoshiki Design Contest for students—specifically, university and vocational
school students around the world who are the designers of the future. One
entry will be awarded the grand prize and three others will be awarded prizes
for excellence; these four designs will be used to produce JF Original Furoshiki,
thereby helping to promote interaction with other countries.
We look forward to seeing your entries.
The Japan Foundation, New York
A furoshiki is a “wrapping and carrying cloth” used since olden times in
Japan. It appears in writings of the Nara Period as tsutsumi (a bundle)
referring to a cloth used to wrap the treasures stored in Shoso-in (an
Imperial Treasury at Todai-ji temple). While there are several theories
about how the cloth came to be known as furoshiki, a common story dates
back to the Muromachi Period when Shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga built an
ōyudono (a large bathhouse) to entertain feudal lords. The lords wrapped
their clothes in a cloth on which their family crest was imprinted to
distinguish their own clothing from another’s, and after coming out of the
bath, it was used to stand on while grooming. This practice later became
common in the Edo Period together with the popularization of sento
(public baths). However, the use of furoshiki decreased together with the
introduction of western bags after the Meiji Period. However with the
focus on environmental problems in recent years, the furoshiki is
attracting renewed attention as it can be used over and over again.
Submission Guidelines （United States）
1. Basic Information
(1) Designs wanted: JF Original Furoshiki Design
(2) Design theme: Designs should evoke a fusion of United States and Japan.
(3) Design guidelines:
a. Software: Please use Adobe Illustrator version 8.0 or later
Any language version of this software may be used;
however, it is recommended that entrants use the English
version to avoid the risk of corrupted text.
Please set the color mode to CMYK.
b. File format: Adobe Illustrator Version CS or earlier
Please save the file in .ai or .eps format with a file name
that uses only letters and numbers.
c. Colors: Up to 5 colors may be used. Please use process color (CMYK).
5 colors refers to the number that will appear on the
finished furoshiki.
A color used to dye the whole fabric will be counted as
one color. (All base fabrics are white.)
Given that the base fabric will undergo a dyeing
process, please be aware of the following:
Different proportions of the same color (e.g., red
100% and red 50%) will be counted as two colors.
A color resulting from the layering of two colors will
be counted as a separate color.
Fluorescent colors, spot colors, and gradations
cannot be used.
d. Fabric size: 70cm ×70 cm
e. Design size: The design data should measure 74 cm × 74 cm (4cm larger
than the size of the fabric).
f. Logo: The Japan Foundation will insert its logo in the bottom-right
or bottom-left corner of the design. The JF will choose the
color of the logo while respecting the design.
g. Lettering: Please outline any text used in the design.
(4) Other points to note:
a. Data containing pasted images will not be accepted.
b. The dyeing process may cause slight changes in color and may require
modifications to forms of expression.
c. The texture of the fabric may make it difficult to reproduce intricate
designs.
d. Confirmation of the final sample will take place at the JF Headquarters.
e. Designs must be the original creation of the entrant. Any copyright
issues should be resolved in advance by the entrant. The use of widely
recognized characters/designs or of images that closely resemble such
characters/designs may constitute a copyright infringement. Designs
thought to infringe copyrights will not be considered.
f. Submitted designs will not be returned.
2. Eligibility
Entry is open to individuals or groups engaged in the study of design or related
subjects at a university or vocational school and residing in United States.
(Students of any nationality are welcome to enter the contest.)
3. Number of Submissions
One entry is allowed per individual or group.
4. Awards
After the entries are judged, the following prizes will be awarded:
1 grand prize
3 prizes for excellence
10 prizes for merit
The grand prize winner will receive ¥100,000, which includes a ¥30,000 royalty
payment covering two years. The winners of prizes for excellence will each
receive a ¥30,000 royalty payment, also covering two years.
5. Copyright
Copyrights to the winning designs belong to the entrants. However, the Japan
Foundation reserves the exclusive right to use these designs for various
purposes (in other forms of promotion besides furoshiki, in New Year’s cards
and other printed goods, in online media, etc.) for a period of two years. Use of
the designs beyond this two-year period will be determined through
discussions between entrants and the Japan Foundation. Uses that contravene
public order and decency will not be permitted.
6. How to Enter
Send the following items to “JF Original Furoshiki Submissions” at the address
listed below.
(1) Entry sheet: 1 copy
(2) Printout of design: 3 copies on A4 paper (the colors on the printout will
be used as the basis for dyeing process)
(3) Data: 1 CD-R containing an Adobe Illustrator file
1 CD-R containing a PDF file
7. Entry Period
September 1, 2010 – October 29, 2010
(Applications must arrive no later than Friday, October 29)
8. Address for Submissions
JF Original Furoshiki Submissions,
The Japan Foundation, New York
152 West 57th Street, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Note: Entries must be submitted by post.
9. Notification of Results
Winners will be contacted around early January 2011. The results of the contest
will also be announced on the Japan Foundation Headquarters and the Japan
Foundation, New York websites.
This information is also available on the following website:
The Japan Foundation, New York:
http://www.jfny.org/
If you have any inquires, please send an email to: Furoshikicontest@jfny.org
