Tenugui Towel Chusen Dye | Asagao Neko

What is Tenugui?

手拭  Tenugui are Japanese traditional hand towels and they are used in many ways and so versatile.

The materials are thin, made of cotton and have unique patterns.

You might have seen that Japanese men wear it around their head or neck to wipe their sweat during the summer too.

Tenugui have a lot of cultural history so make great gifts and souvenirs.

The size of Tenugui is approx. 30cm x 90cm and it has become popular as a wall decoration with a tapestry rod.

What is Chusen Dye 注染?

This Tenugui was dyed with a technique called ‘Chusen Dye’.

Chusen dye is a traditional Japanese dyeing method started in Edo period (17th century) and one of the most beautiful techniques.

With this method it can be dyed using multiple colors at once, creating elaborated designs than printing.

How it is done

-A paper pattern (made of Japanese washi hardened with persimmon tannin) is glued on the undyed part of the cloth

-A small wall is made on the part to be dyed with a tool similar to a cake piping

-The dye is poured on the inside of the wall to dye the cloth with a ‘Yakan – something like watering can’

I wrote it very briefly, but you can watch this Youtube video for more details.

Definitely it is an art of work!

About this Tenugui

朝顔 Asagao – Morning glory is summer flower in Japan and most household has a small planter with it.

At the elementary school, the first plant to sow the seeds and observe is Asagao.

Asagao pattern is also often used in Yukata (Japanese summer Kimono).

Can you spot a cat?

It would be nice to decorate it on a wall with our tapestry rod from here.

Note: The top and bottom of the fabric is not hemmed usually.  This allows fabric to dry faster and not accumulating unwanted germs.  The fabric will fray but will stop with time.  Cut off the loose threads and allow the fabric to age gracefully.