Tenugui - Japanese Teaware
Vibrant green cotton tenugui decorated with Japanese teaware. It is designed for everyday use as a hand towel, or decorative item, or for wrapping fragile items when carrying them.
A tenugui (手ぬぐい) is a traditional Japanese cotton cloth which is thin and rectangular, plain‑woven and dyed with vibrant patterns. Tenugui can be traced back to the Heian period (794–1192 AD) and became very popular during the Edo period (1603–1868) as an everyday essential. Its long edges are secured with a selvage, while the short ends are intentionally left un‑hemmed, allowing natural fraying. This unfinished edge enables faster drying. The absence of hemming is also rooted in historical practicalities, where farmers and workers needed cloth that could be ripped away quickly for bandages, repairs or emergencies.
- Material: Made of Chita cotton with a gauze‑like texture that’s fast‑drying and slightly firm
- Design: Japanese teaware, including matcha whisks and bowls and teapots
- Dyeing: Dyed using the traditional chūsen method, giving deep, even colour and a soft finish that ages naturally.
- Dimensions: 34 x 88mm
Care Instructions
- Hand‑wash in plenty of water with like colours, avoid bleaching.
- Hang‑dry - quick drying is part of the charm of tenugui.
- Do not use hot water or harsh detergents to preserve the as long as possible.
- Cut loose threads gently, don’t pull.
- Optionally warm‑iron to smooth it.
Over time, your tenugui will soften, fade gracefully and gain character with use
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Enomoto Co., Ltd., based in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka prefecture, is a fabric and household textile company established mid‑20th century. While its corporate roots date back to 1917 focused on metal mouldings and agricultural hardware, the fabric/division behind tenugui emerged in the 1950s as a textile maker specializing in yukata, kimono and home textiles. The IKS COLLECTION is Enomoto’s modern tenugui brand, designed and produced in Hamamatsu, one of Japan’s three major dyeing centres and blends heritage with contemporary style.