Scatter

散らし chirashi

Small motifs are scattered loosely over the furoshiki. Some always land on top, so it suits any wrap.

Traditional scattered (chirashi) patterns; Edo period

Chirashi, 'scattering', is a basic arrangement in Japanese design: small motifs such as flowers, fans or crests strewn loosely over a plain field. It was common on Edo stencil-dyed (katagami) fabric, of which many 19th-century stencils survive, and on kosode where much ground was left open. On furoshiki it is popular because some motifs always land on top whatever the wrap.