What is Tenugui?
Tenugui are thin cotton cloths, typically 90 cm long and 35 cm wide, woven in plain weave. They are multipurpose items, used for wiping sweat or water after washing hands or face, washing the body during a bath, as a head covering or neck wrap during festivals, or even as a wrapping for gifts or cleaning cloths. Unlike towels or furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloths), tenugui are left unhemmed, allowing the edges to naturally fray over time—a unique and charming characteristic of tenugui.
Difference from Furoshiki
While furoshiki is also a cloth, it’s square-shaped and thicker, mainly used for carrying or wrapping items.
The Charm of Tenugui
- Light and Thin
Made from thin cotton, tenugui are very light and compact, making them easy to carry.
- Quick Drying
With its thin, single-layered construction and lack of hems, tenugui dries quickly, making it resistant to bacterial build-up.
・Versatile Uses
Its rectangular shape is ideal for tying and wrapping, commonly used to wrap items. It can even serve as an improvised bandage in case of injury to help stop bleeding.
・Cute and Varied Designs
Tenugui comes in a wide range of designs, from traditional patterns like Mount Fuji or Japanese flora to modern, cute animal motifs and character prints.
・Affordable
Tenugui can be purchased for around 1,000 yen apiece. With the simple, unsewn edges, manufacturing costs are kept low, making them budget-friendly souvenirs for friends and family back home.
History of Tenugui
Tenugui has a long history. The oldest known tenugui was found in a tomb from around 300 AD. From the Kamakura to the Edo period (1185-1867), samurai were said to use them under their helmets to wipe sweat. During the Edo period, tenugui became more widespread as cotton cultivation flourished. With the increase in cotton kimono production, scrap fabric pieces were repurposed as tenugui, and the cloth became part of daily life. Kabuki actors even started creating original tenugui designs as promotional items, leading tenugui to gain attention as a fashionable accessory.
Although towels and tissues are more common today, the convenience and variety of tenugui designs still attract many Japanese enthusiasts.
Traditional Dyeing Technique: Chusen
There are several ways to make tenugui, but chusen, a dyeing method traditional to the late Meiji era, is particularly notable. Often used for dyeing tenugui and yukata, chusen involves placing paste on the fabric and then injecting dye into the areas not covered by the paste. This method allows both sides of the fabric to appear the same, requiring skilled craftsmanship through steps of stencil carving, pattern setting, dye application, and washing. Tenugui dyed with chusen have softer, warmer lines than those printed with inkjet printers, showcasing the artisan’s touch.
Please take a look the video .
Unique Design
Here, I’d like to introduce one of my favorite tenugui designs.
The one on the right is inspired by a sword owned by Tokugawa Nariakira. He was a feudal lord during the late Edo period and the daimyo of the Mito Domain. Nariakira was also the father of Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shogun of the Edo period. He is credited with creating Kairakuen, one of Japan’s three great gardens and a famous spot for plum blossoms, in Mito. I purchased this as a souvenir when I visited the garden.
The tenugui in the middle features the kanji for “sake” along with illustrations of squid and fish. On both ends, cats are lying down—perhaps they’re drunk?
The one on the left has a design of a small tiger playing with a ball. This was dyed using the traditional chusen technique mentioned earlier. Compared to the others, the lines are softer, giving it a warm and rich appearance.
Creative Ways to Use Tenugui
Finally, tenugui can be used however you like—it’s not just for wiping water or sweat.
- Wrapping Bottles
Wrap a small bottle of sake or wine in tenugui for a unique gift presentation.
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- Wrapping Bento Boxes or Gift Boxes
Simply place the box in the center, wrap both sides around, and tie the ends in a neat knot.
- Wrapping Tissue Boxes
- Table Runners
- Framing as Wall Decor
There are tools available for displaying furoshiki, ranging from frame-like holders to ones that hang by clamping the top and bottom. - Head or Neck Wrap
Tenugui Shop – Kotori Studio
Tenugui shops are located across Japan, and I recommend visiting Kotori Studio near Higashi-Hakuraku Station in Yokohama, Kanagawa.I am deeply grateful to the owner of this shop for their invaluable support in writing this article.They have a wide selection of tenugui and are happy to share helpful tips. Give it a visit!
Kotori Studio(コトリスタジヲ） : 2-1-2Nishikanagawa Kanazawa-ku Yokohama-shi Kasagawa-ken (神奈川県横浜市神奈川区西神奈川２丁目１−２)
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