Handcrafted Tenugui - Assorted Designs

Technically speaking, this style of traditional Japanese cloth is referred to as a 'Tenugui' - which were first utilised in the Edo period, as an accessory for Shinto rituals, and as fabric of a high quality was rare, they were highly valued.

Later these were venerated as the the Japanese cloth of 'all-purposes' and their edges were left un-stitched to allow for quick drying after use as a bath or kitchen towel  - with the purpose of avoiding the accumulation of bacteria.

As things progressed more design-work and hand dyed graphics started to appear on these useful pieces of fabric, so much so, that Japanese people began to appreciate them for both their functionality and as an art form.

Competitions sprang-up around Japan to award those craftsmen with the best designs. In contemporary Japan, respected vendors now sell these beautifully designed fabrics as wall hangings and for use in elegant gift-wrapping, more so, than for their household usefulness.

It's really up to you, how you appreciate this crafted cloth with such a long and revered history.

This series of contemporary Tenuguis have been carefully chosen from respected vendors in both Tokyo & Kyoto.  They feature famous Tokyo food motifs, traditional Daruma dolls and Sushi & Maneki Neko (lucky cat) iconography. They would work beautifully as a wall hanging or framed artwork, in addition to a table runner. It's really up to you, how you appreciate this crafted cloth with such a long and revered history.

Designs

※ The list of designs below follow the sequence of the photos from the first design (e.g. Picture 1 = Design 1 etc.)

Design 1 - Tokyo Icons of food and culture. White background and 'Tokyo' printed on it. 
Size: approx. 33x90cm
Design 2 - Lucky Cats eating at train sushi restaurant. 
Size: approx. 34x90cm
Design 3 - Large Red White and Black Daruma doll figure.. 
Size: approx. 34x90cm
Design 4 - Chusen style group of various Daruma dolls
Size: approx. 36x90cm

Care instructions

• Do not use detergent or hot water
• Wash (only if you have to) the first time separately in a cold wash with light detergent, preferably within a mesh laundry bag.
• hang to dry but do not expose to direct sunlight for fear of fading.
• It is natural for the edges of Tenugui to fray for about 5-10mm at their un-stitched edges.

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