Tenugui
Kitaya – GEOMETRIC PLAY
$35.00Kitaya Shōten 幾何学あそび Kitaya Shōten made a tenugui by collecting and combining many traditional patterns that have been handed down from long ago. This tenugui can be enjoyed in a wide range of ways, regardless of age, gender, or occasion. It is a masterpiece that luxuriously uses the traditional fabric "Enshu cotton pongee", which has been preserved since the Edo period in the Enshu region centered on Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. The stripes of the original fabric and the dyeing technique overlap, creating an interesting finish that changes the atmosphere. Approximately 40cm x 90cm (15,7in x 35,4in) Enshu cotton pongee fabric used 100% cotton ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Kamawanu – FIREFLIES
$30.00Kamawanu 額装 蛍 The gentle glow of fireflies floats here and there in the dark night. It is a tenugui that calms your mind when you look at it. Approximately 33cm x 90cm (13in x 35,4in) 100% cotton made in Japan ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Kamawanu – Framed Cherry Blossoms
$25.00Kamawanu 額装 桜 It is said that the cherry blossoms are related to rice cultivation rituals that the grain god dwells. Expressing a spring -colored view of cherry blossoms in full bloom. Approximately 36cm x 90cm (14,1in x 35,4in) 100% cotton made in Japan ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Rienzome – GARDEN
$25.00Rienzome by Todaya Shōten ガーデン A garden colored by plants, flowers, stones, water, and a wide variety of elements. The details take a lot of work, but the view that looks relaxed from the sun room spreads beauty. The dyeing process "Itaba, Konya, Mizumoto, Date" was repeated twice or more times to complete one pattern. Advanced technologies are required, such as inserting the pattern and adjusting the color. Approximately 37cm x 90cm (14,6in x 35,4in) Made in Japan 100% cotton ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Rienzome – WATERMELON
$25.00Rienzome by Todaya Shōten スイカ Watermelon, a representative summer fruit, is used in juices and sherbets, and the seeds are also used as appetizers in Chinese cuisine. In addition, for medicinal purposes, the juice has a diuretic effect, and the concentrated one is effective for nephritis. It is dyed with "Hosokawa-zome", which repeats the dyeing process "Itaba, Konya, Mizumoto, and Date" two or more times to complete one pattern. Advanced techniques such as pattern fitting and color adjustment are required. Approximately 37cm x 90cm (14,6in x 35,4in) Made in Japan 100% cotton ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Kitaya – LUCKY BIRD ARABESQUE
$25.00Kitaya Shōten 吉鳥唐草 鳥 古典柄 The arabesque pattern is a classic auspicious pattern that has the meaning of "prosperity" and "longevity" because it has a strong vitality and the vine grows without breaking. By making the motif larger than usual to give the presence of arabesque, and adding a cute bird motif to it, it is presented in a modern way without becoming a heavy classic pattern. It was made from this thought. But after all, the color is the traditional arabesque color! Approximately 34cm x 90cm (13,3in x 35,4in) Tokuoka (特岡) fabric used (it's a fabric with a smooth texture) 100% cotton ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Kitaya – MAPLE IN DOTS
$25.00Kitaya Shōten 子持ち紅葉 楓 小紋 If you look closely, you can see that the pattern of autumn leaves and maple is expressed in fine dots like in Edo Komon, and the pattern of polka dots is further layered and dyed. Only there where no anti-dye glue was used, the polka dots appear. What a luxurious tenugui that is! I think this is a wonderful way to use the traditional Komon in a modern setting. It's hard to see in the photo because of the lighting, but the fine pattern is light blue, and the polka dots are dark blue. Approximately 34cm x 90cm (13,3in x 35,4in) Sōri (総理) fabric used (it's a fabric with a rough texture) 100% cotton ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Shinedozome – COVERED IN SNOW
$25.00Shinedozome by Marukyu Shōten ＜雪持ち＞瑠璃色 A new color, lapis lazuli. The translucent navy blue is perfect for the coming season. It is a pattern that expresses "yukimochi" where the branches and leaves are covered with snow. The highlight of this pattern is the expression of fine snow powder and the simple structure of the branches. You can enjoy how to arrange the branches like a picture. This "yukimochi" was originally created as a pattern for yukata. Did it look cool under the midsummer sunshine? For this tenugui, Ise Katagami -owned by Marukyu Shōten- was used. Ise Katagami is a special paper with hand-carved patterns originally used for dying yukata. Ise Katagami is designated as an important intangible cultural property. Approximately 34cm x 90cm (13,3in x 35,4in) 100% cotton Chusen dyed made in Japan ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Shinedozome – ROUND MASUME
$25.00Shinedozome by Marukyu Shōten ＜丸に升目＞臙脂 升 - shō is a Japanese measure box for rice or sake. It always has a square shape. Masume (升目) is often used for "grid". For this tenugui, the square pattern is cut out in a round shape and arranged in a polka dot pattern on a dark red (臙脂) base. For this tenugui, Ise Katagami -owned by Marukyu Shōten- was used. Ise Katagami is a special paper with hand-carved patterns originally used for dying yukata. Ise Katagami is designated as an important intangible cultural property. Approximately 34cm x 90cm (13,3in x 35,4in) 100% cotton Chusen dyed made in Japan ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Shinedozome – MOUNTAIN ROAD
$25.00Shinedozome by Marukyu Shōten ＜雪の山路＞紺に鼠 This pattern expresses a deep snowy mountain road. For this tenugui, Ise Katagami -owned by Marukyu Shōten- was used. Ise Katagami is a special paper with hand-carved patterns originally used for dying yukata. Ise Katagami is designated as an important intangible cultural property. Approximately 34cm x 90cm (13,3in x 35,4in) 100% cotton Chusen dyed made in Japan ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Shinedozome – YATARA STRIPES Iron Navy
$25.00Shinedozome by Marukyu Shōten ＜矢鱈縞＞鉄紺 (random stripes) These stripes were randomly carved by a craftsman. Stripes made without a ruler have just the right amount of fluctuation. The iron navy dyed on the gray fabric is a calm blue. For this tenugui, Ise Katagami -owned by Marukyu Shōten- was used. Ise Katagami is a special paper with hand-carved patterns originally used for dying yukata. Ise Katagami is designated as an important intangible cultural property. Approximately 34cm x 90cm (13,3in x 35,4in) 100% cotton Chusen dyed made in Japan ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
Kamawanu – Wisteria Crest
$20.00Kamawanu 藤丸紋 Wisteria has a strong fertility, leading to "Fuji = immortality", a symbol of longevity and prosperity, further it is said to be a good luck to make a bunch of flowers as rice ears and wish for a good harvest., so it can be used for a wide range of celebrations. The calm and elegant atmosphere is easy to match with Japanese dresses, and is also recommended for art appreciation and accompaniment for each lesson. Approximately 33cm x 90cm (13in x 35,4in) 100% cotton made in Japan ※ product is hand-dyed and made of natural materials. Changes in color and differences to the product pictures can and might appear! ※ product might be sold-out even though being available on this site. We will refund the whole amount in this case ※ ships from Japan. Due to COVID, shipping is still restricted. Please check the options for your country during checkout. ※ customs fees may apply in your country. It is either be paid to the delivery service or at the customs office by yourself. Other fees may apply regarding of the rules in your country
What is Tenugui? Tenugui seem like a simple, rectangular piece of cloth. But they are actually so mich more!
Tenugui have an over 1000 years old tradition in Japan.
They are hand-dyed with different methods, adjusted by the amazing craftsmen according to the season and climate.
The traditional motifs used for tenugui are full of auspicious meanings. But also modern patterns find their way into the world of tenugui.
Our hand-picked brands all hand-dye either using Hamamatsuzome or Edozome.
Both are dying techniques special to the according cities.
How to use Tenugui
As a company based in garden arts, we like to use the tenugui as a protection for our heads while working in the garden.
It keeps our hair clean, protects our skin from the sun, and keeps us warm in winter. At the same time, we can also use it as a towel.
Tourists like to bring tenugui home, hanging them in a frame as decorations.
But they can also function as tabel runner, placemat, as a scarf or bandana, or for wrapping presents ecologically!
Traditionally, they were also used to wrap and transport things, functioning as a protective kind of bag.
What is your favorite usage?
