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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Tenugui

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  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth "Laughing Dog" (381)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth "Laughing Dog" (381)

    The handmade Tenugui cloths from RIENZOME are crafted and painted by hand, using traditional methods that have been used for many generations. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and...
    $10.73
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth of Snowy Asakusa (481)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth of Snowy Asakusa (481)

    Snowy Asakusa.This tenugui cloth is part of a series featuring the art work of Utagawa Hiroshige "100 famous views of Edo". This particular one shows Asakusa in winter. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to...
    $14.30
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Beautiful Blue Grass Pattern (T-103)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Beautiful Blue Grass Pattern (T-103)

    Rienzome is the brand name of traditional cloth maker TODAYA, established in 1872, currently run by the 6th generation. ???Rien??? means the people of Kabuki and traditional dancing, and the brand name therefore refers to this world as they have always...
    $10.73
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Beautiful Chrysanthemum (T-105)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Beautiful Chrysanthemum (T-105)

    Chrysanthemum A beautifully, elegant 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 hand towels and handkerchiefs, but also...
    $10.73
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Birds on a Lotus (286)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Birds on a Lotus (286)

    Bird on Lotus.This hand-dyed Tenugui towel features two Azure-winged magpie birds sitting on and flying around a Lotus; a colorful flower famous in japanese prefecture Hyogo, in Western Japan. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this...
    $10.73
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Black Hasuichi Matsu Pattern (T-109)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Black Hasuichi Matsu Pattern (T-109)

    Rienzome is the brand name of traditional cloth maker TODAYA, established in 1872, currently run by the 6th generation. ???Rien??? means the people of Kabuki and traditional dancing, and the brand name therefore refers to this world as they have always...
    $10.73
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Dojoji Female Beauty (335)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Dojoji Female Beauty (335)

    Dojoji.D??j??ji is a famous Noh (Japanese theater) play. This dramatic tenugui portrays the elegance and beauty of the female figure, standing below the falling Sakura leafs. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails...
    $10.73
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Female Ninja Pattern (1000)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Female Ninja Pattern (1000)

    Kunoichi. This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features a mysterious pattern of female ninja eye. Female ninja are referred to as Kunoichi. In Japanese, the character for 'woman' is ???. In this character, three individual simple characters can be...
    $8.58
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Floating Turtles (603)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Floating Turtles (603)

    Life begins at fifty!This tenugui towel features images of adorable little "Kame" - or turtles, which have since long been a celebrated image of longevity. A popular Japanese proverb goes "Cranes live for 1000 years, turtles live for 10,000 years", which...
    $8.58
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Guardian Spirit Sh??ki (256)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Guardian Spirit Sh??ki (256)

    Guardian Angel.This hand-dyed Tenugui towel features commander of demons, Zhong Kui - or Sh??ki in Japanese. According to Chinese and Japanese mythology, he functions as a guardian angel and his picture is often displayed in front of household gates or...
    $10.73
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Hiroshige's Horikiri Iris Garden (491)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Hiroshige's Horikiri Iris Garden (491)

    Japanese Iris. This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features a motif from the "100 famous views of Edo" woodprints from Hiroshige: Horikiri Iris Garden. It features a couple op beautiful, prominent irises in the front, with a large field of irises in the...
    $14.30
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Hiroshige's Swallow on a Peach Tree (355)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Hiroshige's Swallow on a Peach Tree (355)

    Peachy. This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features a motif from the famous Ukiyo-e painter Hiroshige. The pattern shows two swallows on a peach tree in the moonlight. It's a harmonious scene with beautiful colors and details. "Tenugui" is often translated...
    $12.87
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Indigo Kasuri Pattern (773)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Indigo Kasuri Pattern (773)

    Kasuri. This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features a beautiful indigo "Kasuri" pattern, often used on Kimonos and traditional accessories. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and...
    $8.58
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Indigo Pear Pattern (993)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Indigo Pear Pattern (993)

    Pear. This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features a beautiful indigo pear pattern. The traditional pattern, often used for wrapping gifts, represents a circle cut pear. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover...
    $8.58
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Japanese Hinasama Dolls (295)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Japanese Hinasama Dolls (295)

    Ohinasama.Every year on March 3rd, the Japanese celebrate "Hinamatsuri" - or Doll's Day / Girl's Day. The day is spend with beautiful Japanese decorations of o-Hinasama dolls, season and holiday specific snacks, and plenty of parties and events for...
    $10.73
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Kanto Stripes (602)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Kanto Stripes (602)

    Kanto Stripes.Kanto is Japan's largest, center Island. This pattern called Kanto Stripes became popular during the Edo Period and has been featured on many craft items ever since. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation...
    $7.15
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Little Snails (695)

    RIENZOME

    Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Little Snails (695)

    SnailsBased on a children song (???????????????????????????????????????) this tenugui shows adorable little snails happily crawling around. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and...
    $7.15
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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.