Rienzome Tenugui Towel

Chū-sen is a traditional Japanese hand-dyeing method where dye is poured through a stencil onto stacked fabric. This process ensures the pattern permeates both sides of the cotton, creating a rich, organic look that doesn't sit on the surface like a screen print.

It is standard for authentic Japanese tenugui to have selvedge sides and unfinished short ends. This design choice prevents bulkiness, allows the towel to dry quickly, and makes it easier to tear the fabric if you need to create smaller cleaning cloths or bandages.

It is designed for both. While the soft, absorbent cotton makes it a functional hand or dish towel, the intricate Yōhen Tenmoku illustration makes it a popular choice for framing or hanging as a piece of textile art.

Because of the chū-sen dyeing process, the color is deeply embedded in the fibers. However, like most traditional hand-dyed textiles, we recommend hand washing in cold water with mild detergent for the first few washes to preserve the vibrancy of the illustration.

Slight variations are a hallmark of the chū-sen process. While the design will be consistent, the way the dye settles can create subtle differences in each piece, ensuring that your specific towel is truly one-of-a-kind.