Hand-dyed by 270-year-old Artisan Dyer
Hand-dyed Japanese traditional multi-purpose "Tenugui" cotton cloth made by a 270-year-old artisan dyer, Echigo Kamekonya, from Niigata, Japan.
Each tenugui is hand-dyed, both sides, in a traditional method by a craftsman. These are special artisanal tenugui by Echigo Kamekonya, a historic artisan dyer from Niigata, Japan. Tenugui cloth used to be an essential item at households in during Edo Period (1600 - 1868) and still has been loved by people in Japan.
Tenugui is an essential item for donabe cooking, as you can use it to lift a hot lid or use two for holding handles to carry a donabe. It's more convenient than using oven mitts, and it also makes beautiful rustic presentation.
For other common purposes, tenugui can be used as a wiping cloth, gift wrapping, display on the wall, or even fashion (wrap around neck or used as a bandana). It also makes a beautiful presentation by wrapping a bottle of sake or wine as a gift. You can even cut it in half and use them as small towels or handkerchief.
Tenugui traditionally has unhemmed ends and natural fraying is part of the beauty of tenugui. The frays can be cut by scissors. This "unfinished" end actually helps the cloth to dry faster and prevent the end from collecting dust.
The more you use it, the better the fabric feels to your skin. Also, just like many other Japanese traditional products with wabi sabi beauty, we appreciate how the look of it develops as you use it more and more. The end would fray more and the color starts to fade a little by little, and we hope you enjoy such developments of this traditional tenugui. Tenugui is not a mass-produced machine-made towel. Each piece is slightly different and not uniform. So, we hope you will enjoy this authentic wabi sabi beauty filled with rich history.
(Here's a good article we found about Tenugui. We hope you will check it out if you are not familiar with what tenugui is. The article is about its history, usage, and how it's been an important part of Japanese culture : "Tenugui: A Cloth Without Limits")
These beautiful tenugui can also make a nice decoration on a wall. Tenugui Tapestry Hanger is sold separately.
Designs:
Rice Grains
The most popular design. Niigata is a famous rice growing region and symbol of their agriculture. Each rice grain has a different face.
Nazuna
Nazuna is a plant cherished in Japanese folklore for symbolizing simplicity and purity. This tenugui celebrates the delicate beauty of its small, bright flowers that grace the wild fields of Japan.
Sakura
Featuring Sakura (cherry blossom), a beloved flower by Japanese people. Timeless design with soft pink background.
Sake Bottles
Niigata is not only known for the best rice, but also the sake made from their rice and pure water of the region. This tenugui is designed after the sake bottles stored in the traditional “snow cave” in a sake brewery.
Chamame
A particular strain of edamame from Niigata, Cha-Mame are widely regarded as one of the most delicious strains in all of Japan.
Hegi Soba
Originating in Niigata Japan, Hegi-Soba is a local delicacy made by mixing soba flour and funori seaweed. It is traditionally served in small twisted bunches as illustrated on the tenugui.
Kanzuri
The motif is chilies spread over snow… This is the particular process of making this special regional condiment, Kanzuri, from Niigata. Kanzuri is a unique hot paste, made from red chilies, yuzu rind, rice koji (malted rice), and salt. You can also order Kanzuri from here.
Salmon and Sake
Murakami City in Niigata is also called a city of salmon, and local people enjoy salmon and locally brewed sake together. Salmon is also called “sake” in Japanese. So, they say they enjoy “sake (salmon) and sake (drink)”.
Mame-Shibori (Pink/ Black)
Classic dot-pattern design with Kamekonya’s logo and crest.
Yoroke-Shima
Pink and gray stripes are simple and elegant. One of the most popular designs of Kamekonya.
Lotus (Yellow/ Purple)
Lotus design is considered to be good luck as you can “see through bright light” from its holes. This is one of the first designs of Kamekonya tenugui collection and has been one of the top sellers.
Size: 36” x 13.5” (90 cm x 34 cm)
Material: Cotton 100%
Producer: Echigo Kamekonya
Origin: Niigata, Japan
Usage and Care
- Hand wash is recommended for the first few times, as the tenugui would release its color. Then, it would be okay to wash in washing machine (cold water, wash separately from other colors). The color would fade and that’s natural part of traditional tenugui.
- Air dry is suggested.
