Yoshiwara chain

吉原繋ぎ yoshiwara tsunagi

Yoshiwara chain

Chain of cut-corner links, each with a smaller link nested inside, named after Edo's Yoshiwara pleasure quarter, where it decorated teahouse noren. Said to mean that once inside you are 'chained' and cannot leave; read kindly, the unbroken chain stands for lasting ties between people.

Edo period, Yoshiwara pleasure quarter

Named after Yoshiwara, the licensed pleasure quarter of Edo, where it was dyed on the noren curtains of teahouses. It is also called kuruwa-tsunagi ('quarter chain'), with komochi Yoshiwara as a name for the version with a smaller link inside. The story that it means visitors were 'chained' once inside is a folk explanation.

A stock pattern of Edo-style tenugui, noren, yukata and festival happi coats.

Technique catalog · draft for review

Every way to wrap, carry and wear a furoshiki.

The furoshiki.com archive, sliced into annotated steps with plain directions, plus techniques found in research.