A tenugui is an un-hemmed, thin rectangular woven cotton cloth. This makes them absorbent and quick drying. They come in many different patterns and have infinite possibilities - from wrapping your belongings or wearing as a bandana to scrubbing your body in the shower. Some tenugui featuring unique prints are even used as wall decorations.
Honzome is a traditional Japanese dyeing technique. The biggest difference in technique is that a craftsman pours dye over layers of fabric by hand, instead of using a machine. In this way, the dye saturates the fabric with a design that is barely distinguishable between front and back of the towel. There are two points about which to be careful when you buy a new honzome tenugui:
1. The first time you wash it, please do so by hand. The water will become colored with the excess dye. After the first wash, you can usually put it in with your other clothes - but to be safe, with like colors is best.
2. If you wear it brand new, without washing it, the dye is likely to transfer to your skin or clothes - so be cautious the first few time you wear or use your new honzome tenugui.
After it's been washed a bunch of times, you can fully enjoy your new long lasting, vibrant honzome tenugui.
material: cotton
size: hand towel (33 cm x 90 cm or 13" x 35.5")
Made in Japan