Tenugui are often described as "Japanese cotton (hand) towels". This short description does not do their versatility and cultural history justice! Handmade and hand-painted, these reusable and biodegradable cloths come in an endless range of colors, prints and designs. Tenugui are not only used as hand towels and handkerchiefs, but also function as fashion items (such as scarves or hair accessories), eco-friendly gift wrapping, handmade souvenirs from Japan, absorbent sweat bands during summer and martial arts padding (such as kendo). Of course, you can also admire their beauty and your favorite pattern, such as floral, animal or nostalgic designs, by hanging them on your wall and adding a Japanese touch to your room. 
However you choose to use them, tenugui make for a great investment and a beautiful way to celebrate Japanese culture.  

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  • Rienzome Tenugui Book "Tenugui Asobi" (435)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Book "Tenugui Asobi" (435)

    Tenugui Book This creative and smart designed tenugui folds into a "Tenugui book". Spread out, you can see all the images in white and navy blue - fold it up properly and it turns into an adorable booklet with traditional pictures around "Asobi" or...
    ¥1,320
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  • Tenugui with Colorful Yo-Yo's (738)
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    Tenugui with Colorful Yo-Yo's (738)

    Yo-yoA colorful tenugui that reminds you of fun, colorful yo-yo and the sound they make when children play with them. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural significance...
    ¥1,320
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Snow (1010)
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    Tenugui with Snow (1010)

    Snowflakes. A brightly colored tenugui with Snowflakes makes for a beautiful winter-themed craft. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural significance. Tenugui are not only...
    ¥1,320
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Chinese Clematis (1300)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Chinese Clematis (1300)

    TessenTessen represents beautiful Chinese Clematis flowers. This tenugui is printed on a specially dyed towel with a slightly thin edge. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural...
    ¥1,540
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Geese in the Moonlight (290)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Geese in the Moonlight (290)

    Kari no Fumi.. ... means Letter in Japanese. Literally translated as "The geese's letter" it originated from traditional times when people would tie messages and news updates on a paper around geese's legs, who would then fly them around. "Tenugui" is...
    ¥1,650
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  • Tenugui with a Rope Pattern (954)

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    Tenugui with a Rope Pattern (954)

    This Rienzome tenugui cloth features thick ropes made of plant fiber as traditionally used in Japan. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural significance. Tenugui are not only...
    ¥1,540
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Enchanting Chrysanthemum (874)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Enchanting Chrysanthemum (874)

    KikuChrysanthemums are a widely used pattern in Japanese crafts. Since the Heian period, they can be found on everything from equipment and fashion to decoration. Chrysanthemum is not just very beautiful, but legend has it it gives you prolonged life...
    ¥1,100
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Ninja Tools (1025)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Ninja Tools (1025)

    Ninja Start PackThis tenugui features a unique assemblage of a Ninja and his different tools. Ninja were spies and sometimes hired killers during feudal Japan, known for their sneak attacks, acrobatic movements and unique tools. "Tenugui" is often...
    ¥1,540
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  • Tenugui with Bold Flowers (3000)

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    Tenugui with Bold Flowers (3000)

    Bold Flowers. This tenugui is one of Rienzome's bolder design with large, bold, colorful flowers. It will stand out both in Western and Japanese rooms and makes a for a gorgeous present or gift wrap. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel",...
    ¥1,650
  • Tenugui with Hotaruda Fireflies (247)
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    Tenugui with Hotaruda Fireflies (247)

    Hotaruda This traditional tenugui features "hotaruda" fireflies. Fireflies are often used in Japanese traditional stories and pop culture. It used to be thought that the spirit of humans changed and became a fireflies after life."Tenugui" is often...
    ¥1,650
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  • Tenugui with Koubai Plum Tree (08-250)

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    Tenugui with Koubai Plum Tree (08-250)

    Koubai. Plum flowers are very popular in Japan and beautifully portrayed on this tenugui. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural significance. Tenugui are not only used as...
    ¥1,650
  • Karajishi (H-006) tenugui Karajishi (H-006) tenugui
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    'Hare' Japanese Beauty Tenugui - Karajishi (H-006)

    This retro "karajishi" pattern has a uniquely warm color and bold elements that make for an energetic tenugui. The tenugui is beautiful horizontally and vertically. < HARE collection > WAJIN's new tenugui line-up was created with the goal to...
    ¥3,300
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with a simple Bell Flower (264)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with a simple Bell Flower (264)

    KikkyoThe Chinese Bell Flower is a popular flower in Japan and has for long been a favorite pattern on traditional crafts like lacquer ware and tenugui. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their...
    ¥1,650
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with a Willow (976W)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with a Willow (976W)

    YanagiIn spring, Willows were the first to bud and became a symbol of vitality. This beautiful, well-balanced tenugui will add a nice accent to your room, especially framed on the wall. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this...
    ¥1,320
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Blue Three Monkey Crest (651)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Blue Three Monkey Crest (651)

    Love me blue This stunning tenugui is an original design based on a Japanese crest. The beautiful blue pattern makes for an excellent gift or wall decoration. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their...
    ¥1,540
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Cute Piggies (08-630)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Cute Piggies (08-630)

    PiggiesPigs have been kept in Japan since Buddhism was on the rise. This tenugui has a beautiful, bright color with adorable piggies on them. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and...
    ¥1,320
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Japanese Susuki Grass (887-LG)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Japanese Susuki Grass (887-LG)

    Susuki GrassAlso called Chinese silver grass, Maiden grass or Zebra grass, this plant can be found all over Eastern Asia, blowing beautifully in the wind. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their...
    ¥1,540
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Swallow on a Willow (215)
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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Swallow on a Willow (215)

    SwallowsThis beautiful yellow tenugui features swallows flying around a willow dancing in the wind. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural significance. Tenugui are not only...
    ¥1,540
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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Umebachi pattern (621)

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    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Umebachi pattern (621)

    UmebachiA beautiful, black and white tenugui with classic Umebachi flower pattern. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural significance. Tenugui are not only used as hand...
    ¥1,320
  • Tenugui with Big Lily (276)
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    Tenugui with Big Lily (276)

    Lily. This brightly yellow colored tenugui features a beautiful lily. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural significance. Tenugui are not only used as hand towels and...
    ¥1,650
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The edges of tenugui are not hemmed. The raveling edges allow the cloth to be wringed and dry better, and the raveling will stop by itself.

 

As the tenugui are hand painted and reliant on weather conditions , temperature and humidity, even tenugui painted at the same time will differ slightly in print and intensity.