In Japan, tenugui has been an essential part of daily life since ancient times.
That said, I don’t want to raise your expectations too much—after all, it is just a simple piece of cloth.
However, unlike modern towels and handkerchiefs, tenugui is a traditional craft that reflects Japan’s rich history.
Many are adorned with classic Japanese patterns, offering both aesthetic charm and versatility, making it easy to add a touch of Japanese culture to your daily life.
Some are quite affordable, so why not pick up a tenugui and experience Japanese culture firsthand?
1. What is a Tenugui?
Unlike furoshiki, tenugui is a long, narrow piece of cloth, typically measuring 11 to 14 inches (28 to 35 cm) wide and 33 to 39 inches (85 to 100 cm) long. Many feature beautifully dyed patterns.
Its primary function is to absorb water and sweat, making it useful as a kitchen cloth or for wrapping around the neck or head to wipe perspiration. Most tenugui are made of cotton, though hemp and silk versions exist but are rare.
One of its most distinctive features is that the edges are left unsewn. This design choice enhances its quick-drying properties, as water does not collect at the seams, making it hygienic and practical. Traditionally, people would even tear a tenugui lengthwise to use as an emergency strap when the nose band of their geta sandals broke.
However, this unsewn edge also has a drawback: as you might expect, the fabric frays with each wash at first. This can be slightly annoying and visually unappealing. However, by trimming the loose threads little by little, the fraying naturally settles over time.
In fact, the process of using a tenugui and gradually refining it into a more polished item with your own hands is similar to the way denim or leather products develop character over time. This adds a personal touch, making the tenugui feel even more special as it ages.
Recently, some inexpensive tenugui have sewn edges, which makes them easier to handle. However, this compromises not only their traditional design but also one of their key advantages—quick-drying properties that contribute to better hygiene. For the full experience, I encourage you to try an authentic tenugui with uncut edges.
2. About Dyeing Tenugui
Most tenugui feature patterns, which are typically created through dyeing. However, inexpensive ones are often surface-printed with pigments instead.
There are several differences between dyeing and pigment printing. Since tenugui is a relatively thin fabric, when dyed, the pattern seeps through to the reverse side, creating a visually appealing effect. In contrast, pigment-printed tenugui have a whitish reverse side because the ink does not fully penetrate the fabric. By checking the reverse side, you can easily distinguish between a dyed tenugui and a printed one.
Additionally, dyed tenugui are softer to the touch, making them more comfortable against the skin. Printed versions, on the other hand, can reproduce intricate patterns at a lower cost but tend to feel slightly stiffer in texture.
When purchasing a tenugui, be sure to check the reverse side as well—it can tell you a lot about the fabric’s quality and production method.
Supplement
There are two main types of dyeing techniques used for tenugui: Chusen and Nassen.
Each method has its own unique characteristics, as described below.
Chusen
Multiple sheets of fabric are stacked and dyed simultaneously, allowing the pattern to be fully visible on both sides of the fabric. However, this technique causes slight bleeding of the dye, resulting in a blurred effect. (This blurring is not necessarily a flaw, but in terms of pattern precision, it is less accurate compared to Nassen.)
Nassen
This method primarily involves hand-dyeing each piece using a stencil, though machine dyeing is sometimes used. Since the dye is applied to the surface of the fabric, it does not penetrate through to the reverse side as effectively as Chusen. However, Nassen excels in achieving sharp, intricate patterns with high precision.
Additionally, Nassen cannot produce color gradations, whereas Chusen can. If you are interested in traditional dyeing techniques, exploring these differences in more detail could be quite fascinating.
3. History of Tenugui
The origin of tenugui can be traced back to the Nara period (700s A.D.). However, since cloth was expensive at the time, it is believed that tenugui did not become widely used among the general public until the Muromachi period (1300s–1500s A.D.).
In Japanese, “te” means hand, and “nugui” means to wipe. The original purpose of tenugui was to serve as a cloth for wiping hands.
Over time, tenugui has been used not only for wiping hands, faces, and bodies but also for various other purposes.
4. Tenugui in the Modern Age
With the spread of Western-style clothing and handkerchiefs, tenugui has unfortunately fallen out of common use among the general public. Until a few years ago, it was mostly seen being used by the elderly or wrapped around the head during festivals.
In recent years, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in tenugui, and it is being reevaluated as a fashionable and eco-friendly item. Once considered old-fashioned, tenugui has been shedding that image in recent years.
Although tenugui had once lost its place in daily life, shifting trends are leading Japanese people to recognize its value once again as a traditional yet practical tool.
5. Basic Uses of Tenugui
5-1. Towel or Handkerchief
A tenugui with a pleasant texture can be used in various ways, such as a hand towel for drying hands, a face towel after washing, or a body towel after bathing. It can also be draped around the neck to wipe away sweat.
In the summer, simply wearing it around your neck adds a touch of style while keeping you cool.
5-2. Body Towel for Bath or Sauna
A tenugui is useful as a body towel in bathrooms, saunas, hot springs, and public bathhouses. Its gentle, non-irritating texture makes it a great choice even for sensitive skin.
5-3. Hand Towels, Kitchen Wipes, and Kitchen Cloths
A tenugui can be used as a substitute for a kitchen towel or cloth to dry dishes after washing or wipe away dirt around the table and kitchen.
It also works well as a hand towel, adding a stylish touch when offering it to guests. For a more convenient size, try cutting it in half to make a perfectly sized hand towel.
5-4. Bandana for the Head
Wrap a tenugui around your head or neck in the summer to protect yourself from sunburn and heat.
In Japan, there is a long-standing tradition of wearing tenugui at festivals or while cleaning. In addition to its cultural significance, it is also practical for shielding against sunlight and dust.
6. Creative Uses of Tenugui
There are various ways to use tenugui, and their usage depends on personal creativity. Here, we introduce three creative applications of tenugui.
I have also included links to reference videos for each method, so if any of them interest you, feel free to check them out.
(The explanations in the videos are in Japanese, but you can understand the content just by watching the demonstrations.)
6-1. Tissue Box Cover
A plain or mismatched tissue box can be effortlessly transformed into a warm and stylish accent by wrapping it in a tenugui.
6-2. Wine Bottle Wrapping
You may choose to give a bottle of wine as a thank-you gift to a close friend or someone who has helped you. While store-bought wrapping is convenient, taking a little extra time to wrap the bottle in a beautifully patterned tenugui will make your gift even more special and memorable.
6-3. Interior Decoration (Tapestry)
If you have a favorite pattern, using tenugui as a tapestry is a great way to add a touch of Japanese style to your interior.
(For easier display, consider using a special hanging tool, which is sold separately.)
Essential Skills
Tenugui can be used in many different ways, but there is one fundamental skill that is essential for many of them: the Ma-Musubi knot.
This knot is commonly used for tying tenugui and is also essential for furoshiki wrapping, so it’s worth mastering. Fortunately, it’s simple to learn—you can easily pick it up just by watching the video.
＜Caption＞
- When wrapping bento boxes or gifts, are you tying the Ma-Musubi knot correctly? (0:03)
- Correct Ma-Musubi knot (0:12)
- The knot is parallel to the body. (0:26)
- Incorrect knot (0:30)
- The knot is perpendicular to the body. (0:41)
- Shoelaces are also less likely to come undone when tied using a Ma-Musubi knot. (0:52)
Left: Ma-Musubi knot
Right: Not Ma-Musubi knot
7. Where to Buy a Tenugui
Here are some places where you can find high-quality tenugui.
We have excluded hundred-yen stores and discount shops, as their tenugui are inexpensive but often of lower quality, making them less recommended.
7-1. Gofukuya
Gofukuya are stores that sell various kimono-related items, such as kimono, obi, and geta. Most of them are located in Nihonbashi (Tokyo) and Kyoto.
You can find tenugui here for about $10 to $20. However, these stores may feel a bit formal, making it difficult to enter casually.
7-2. Department Stores
Some department stores have branches of the Gofukuya mentioned above.
7-3. Souvenir Shops
Some souvenir shops may carry tenugui. While the selection may be limited, if you find one you like, it’s a great opportunity to pick it up.
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🎁 20 Light and Unique Japanese Souvenirs That’ll Make You Say ‘I’m Glad I Got This!’
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