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 with Flowery Swine-cress (3003)
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    Tenugui with Flowery Swine-cress (3003)

    Swine-cress. Enjoy the flower-spirit in this beautiful tenugui. A collaboration that allows you to enjoy not only the beautiful hand painted cloth, but also the floral pattern designed by a flower paintings artist. "Tenugui" is often translated as...
    $14.36
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  • Tenugui with Fukagawa Susaki and J mantsubo (489)

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    Tenugui with Fukagawa Susaki and J mantsubo (489)

    Eagle.This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features a motif from the "100 famous views of Edo" woodprints from Hiroshige: Fukagawa Susaki and J??mantsubo. The eagle is a symbol of the great power of nature. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel",...
    $19.14
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Garden Pattern (385)
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    Tenugui with Garden Pattern (385)

    Tenugui are thin Japanese cotton hand towels. They are generally 35 by 90 centimeters, plain woven and usually have a specific pattern or image. They are very versatile and are therefore make very popular gifts and souvenirs. Traditionally, tenugui were...
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  • Tenugui with Giant Sunflower (260)

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    Tenugui with Giant Sunflower (260)

    Sunflower. This summery tenugui portrays a big sunflower rising up towards the bright blue sky. In the back ground a plane is taking off from behind the clouds. A real "feel food" tenugui that will brighten up the mood in any room. "Tenugui" is often...
    $14.36
  • Tenugui with Ginkgo Pattern (969)

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    Tenugui with Ginkgo Pattern (969)

    Ginkgo biloba. As the official tree of Tokyo and an important sign in Japanese tea ceremonies, the Ginkgo sign is often seen in Japan. Ginkgo trees were one of the very few things to, although damaged, survived the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. This tenugui...
    $11.48
  • Tenugui with Grape Pattern (1019)

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    Tenugui with Grape Pattern (1019)

    Grapes.This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features a grape motif. Grapes are a popular fruits in Japan. Already popular when they were transported and traded on the silk road, they were said to be the favorite fruit (and wine) for Greek god Bacchus; and...
    $11.48
  • Tenugui with Ground Cherry Pattern (971)

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    Tenugui with Ground Cherry Pattern (971)

    Chinese lantern plant. This tenugui featured "Ground Cherries". It creates a beautifully colored pattern that will look great in both Western and Japanese rooms. "Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their...
    $11.48
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Group of Dragonflies Pattern (839-R)
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    Tenugui with Group of Dragonflies Pattern (839-R)

    Group of Tonbo. Tonbo - or Dragonflies have been a popular symbol in Japan ever since the Edo period. Being called "Kachi mushi" (winning flies), the pattern was often seen on the armor of samurai for good luck. "Tenugui" is often translated as...
    $13.40
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  • Tenugui with Grove of Trees (1020)

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    Tenugui with Grove of Trees (1020)

    Autumn Trees. This tenugui is inspired by feeling the sunlight through a grove of trees which' leaves are falling down in autumn. The colors and pattern represent the leaves and the shadow in contrast to the sun making its way to the path below. It's a...
    $11.48
  • Tenugui with Halloween Pattern (190)

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    Tenugui with Halloween Pattern (190)

    Halloween. A time for the ghosts and pumpkins to come out and play. You can hear the TRICK AND TREAT by just looking at this tenugui!"Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their versatility and cultural...
    $13.40
  • Tenugui with Hiroshige's Night View of Saruwaka-machi (488)

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    Tenugui with Hiroshige's Night View of Saruwaka-machi (488)

    Sudden Shower. This Tenugui cloth from Rienzome features a motif from the "100 famous views of Edo" woodprints from Hiroshige: Night View of Saruwaka-machi. It features a street home to many Kabuki and marionette theatres."Tenugui" is often translated as...
    $19.14
  • Tenugui with Holly Olive (13-893)

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    Tenugui with Holly Olive (13-893)

    False Holly. 'Osmanthus heterophyllus' is flowering plant in the olive family native to South Japan and in the past used as a symbol used by Samurai to guard themselves from evil spirits. In the West it is often displayed during Christmas! "Tenugui" is...
    $13.40
  • Tenugui with Hortensia Flowers (679)

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    Tenugui with Hortensia Flowers (679)

    Hortensia.Hortensia flowers are very popular in Japan and people travel to admire the flowers in places well known for their abundance. As hortensia blossom in summer this tenugui towel from Rienzome is a nice summer accessory."Tenugui" is often...
    $11.48
  • Rienzome Tenugui Cloth with Hound's-tooth Check Pattern (1505)
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    Tenugui with Hound's-tooth Check Pattern (1505)

    "Chidori Goushi"lt is called a "houndstooth lattice" because the check pattern resembles the flying figure of a staggered bird. Even in modern times, patterns arranged in black and white are often used for clothing, but it seems that staggered patterns...
    $13.40
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  • Tenugui with Hozuki Ground Cherry (262-W)

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    Tenugui with Hozuki Ground Cherry (262-W)

    Egyptian CucumberA loofah that blooms yellow flowers from early summer to autumn and bears large green fruits.I think there are many people who have experience raising in elementary school. Derived from the appearance of the fruit hanging from the vine,...
    $14.36
  • Tenugui with Iris Flowers (872) *lat items*

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    Tenugui with Iris Flowers (872) *lat items*

    Iris.This tenugui cloth has a very abstract pattern of iris flowers. The green parts represent the leaves whereas the colored parts represent the flowers."Tenugui" is often translated as "Japanese towel", but this translation fails to cover their...
    $9.40
  • Tenugui with Japanese 'Shogi' Chess (1370), Wax-dyed
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    Tenugui with Japanese 'Shogi' Chess (1370), Wax-dyed

    Shogi This tenugui is made with a unique new method that combines traditional dying with wax-dying techniques for a breathtaking result. The pattern features Japanese chess; Shogi. A game enjoyable for young and old that has been around since the 'Heian'...
    $19.14
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  • Tenugui with Japanese giant salamander (412)

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    Tenugui with Japanese giant salamander (412)

    Giant Salamander.The giant salamander, which has a length of more than one meter, mainly inhabits mountainous mountain streams and spends most of its life underwater. Since fossils discovered today about 30 million years ago and their present appearance...
    $13.40
  • Tenugui with Japanese Hina Matsuri Dolls (261)

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    Tenugui with Japanese Hina Matsuri Dolls (261)

    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...
    $14.36
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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.