Designer and educator Angie Wang delves into the history of hashibukuro, chopstick sleeves with over 500 unique designs, in the Archive Collection. Originating in ancient Japan for etiquette purposes, hashibukuro evolved with time, adorning the tables of shoguns and red-light district establishments. The evolution from fabric to paper sleeves coincided with train travel and meal popularity. Wang highlights the significance of Mount Fuji and origami in Japanese culture, symbolizing identity and cultural practices. She explores the intersection of Japanese and Western influences through modernized chopstick sleeves in restaurants and the fusion of cultural elements in ephemeral artwork, ultimately honoring the personal collection of Susumu Kitagawa.
https://letterformarchive.org/news/this-just-in-chopstick-sleeves-as-emissaries-of-japanese-typography-and-culture/