Why I sell Tenugui
A piece of Japan for your home. Direct from Yokohama, handmade, full of meaning.
It started with a cloth
I discovered my first tenugui (手拭い) in 2024 in a small shop in Kyoto. I was traveling alone and wanted to familiarize myself with the area. The shop seemed inconspicuous, almost hidden, and seemed to offer only narrow, handkerchief-sized cloths. The patterns were beautiful, and the quality was exceptional.
The owner, an elderly lady, explained to me that they were tenugui. She handed me a small booklet, an instruction manual. I was a bit confused. Instructions for cloths? She patiently explained to me that tenugui have been a part of Japanese culture for centuries and have many uses. I was fascinated and continued to research them, and by the end of my trip, the number of tenugui in my suitcase had grown considerably.
Our most popular designs
Tradition meets everyday life – every scarf is a piece of Japanese culture.
What exactly is a tenugui?
A tenugui is a traditional Japanese cloth made of pure cotton. It is not hemmed but deliberately left open so that it dries quickly and remains pleasantly soft. Samurai used to wear it under their helmets. Today, it is used as a towel, decoration, gift wrapping, or wall hanging.
Each of our tenugui is produced using the wet printing process—a technique that not only applies color but also allows it to penetrate the fabric. The result: intense colors that won't fade.
Original from Japan
All products sourced directly from Japanese manufacturers.
Shipping from Austria
Fast, secure & customs-free for EU customers.
OMOTENASHI Award
Excellent quality – Made in Japan.
Small manufactories
Manufactured by family businesses with tradition.
Why I no longer use any other cloth
Tenugui now accompany me daily. In the kitchen, as wrapping paper, in the bathroom. I appreciate their simplicity. Their beauty. And above all, their origin.
What you get from me aren't interchangeable mass-produced items. They're small works of art with a story – hand-picked, directly from Japan, and selected by me for you.
Special Collection! The 4 Seasons
A unique feature of these Tenugui: together, they represent the four seasons.
Thank you for your time. If you're curious, I'll give you 10% off your first order. Use code ILOVETENUGUI to redeem it on your first order.