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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  • Tenugui with Spring Vibes Pattern (157)

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    Tenugui with Spring Vibes Pattern (157)

    Spring is Coming.This beautiful, calm and balanced tenugui represents a feeling of spring, with subtle, pink Sakura flowers. The pattern has been popular since the Heian era and can be found on kimono and accessories. "Tenugui" is often translated as...
    $7.04
  • Tenugui with Stylish Colorful Stripes (217)

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    Tenugui with Stylish Colorful Stripes (217)

    Colorful Stripes. This Tenugui cloth has a very modern and abstract design of colorful stripes. It refers to a pattern describing three muscles or a secret passage in ancient Japan and China."Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this...
    $8.45
  • Tenugui with Tai Fish (1303)

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    Tenugui with Tai Fish (1303)

    MedeTAI.This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features a motif "Tai", or Sea Bream. Using wordplay, the tai represents part of "medetai", meaning to celebrate, and the fish is therefore often served during festive occasions such as weddings, New Years and...
    $9.86
  • Tenugui with the Kimono Pattern SAYA (674)

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    Tenugui with the Kimono Pattern SAYA (674)

    Saya.SAYA is a traditional geometric pattern that often is found on Kimono fabric. It also makes a beautiful tenugui towel."Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural significance...
    $8.45
  • Tenugui with Ukiyo-e Edo Kabuki Actor (321)

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    Tenugui with Ukiyo-e Edo Kabuki Actor (321)

    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...
    $11.97
  • Tenugui with Weather Gods Fujin & Raijin (437)

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    Tenugui with Weather Gods Fujin & Raijin (437)

    Fujin and Raijin. Fujin and Raijin are the powerful and fearsome Japanese gods of weather. They are often portrayed at temples, in artworks and literature. This tenugui is a cool, traditional design that will be appreciate by Japanese culture enthusiasts...
    $11.97
  • Tenugui with Winking Maneki Neko Cat Blue (361)

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    Tenugui with Winking Maneki Neko Cat Blue (361)

    Irasshaimase, welcome. This tenugui cloth features the "Maneki Neko" winking cat that bring customers and money into one's shop. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural...
    $14.08
  • Tenugui with Wintry Evergreen Pattern (952)

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    Tenugui with Wintry Evergreen Pattern (952)

    Wintry Evergreen.This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features an evergreen motif. The pale colors with the Nordic design remind of winter and is a beautiful, elegant tenugui for any household."Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this...
    $7.04
  • Tenugui with Wisteria Beauty Pattern (332)

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    Tenugui with Wisteria Beauty Pattern (332)

    Wisteria. This beautiful tenugui from Rienzome feautures a well-known Kabuki, Japanese theater, scene, with a beautiful dancing young woman under the Wisteria plant. As the wisteria plant is often regarded as a representation of beauty, fertility, love,...
    $10.56
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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.