Tenugui Towel - Yōhen Tenmoku

Unlike plush terry cloth, this Tenugui is made from a finely woven, lightweight cotton. It is much thinner, dries significantly faster, and has a smooth, flat surface that feels crisp rather than fluffy.

The chū-sen technique is a traditional hand-dyeing method that allows the pigment to soak through the fabric fibers. This ensures the Yōhen Tenmoku pattern is visible and equally vibrant on both the front and back of the towel.

Traditional Tenugui towels feature raw, unhemmed edges. This design choice prevents the fabric from bunching up when wet, allows it to dry quickly, and makes it easier to tear the fabric into smaller pieces if needed for cleaning or bandages.

While it is highly absorbent for its size, it is designed for standard hand-drying or light kitchen tasks. Because of its thin, compact weave, it is not intended to replace a thick bath towel for full-body drying.

We recommend hand washing in cold water with a mild detergent for the first few washes, as traditional dyes may bleed slightly. Avoid using harsh bleach, and hang the towel to air dry to maintain the integrity of the cotton fibers.

The pattern is hand-dyed onto the cotton using the chū-sen process, not woven into the fabric. This results in a clean, sharp geometric design that maintains the soft, lightweight feel of the cotton.