Kamawanu

Hotaru (Fireflies)

$28.00

Hand Towels to be Used for Years to Come

Tenugui towels have been a part of Japanese life since the Heian Period. They've been used to dry one’s hands or face, to clean and even wrap. Delicately hand-crafted and dyed by artisans, each tenugui is designed to be used over and over, and will soften and age beautifully as they become part of your home and lifestyle.

This design features fireflies, whose gentle glow seems to cool our spirits on hot summer nights. “In summer the nights. Not only when the moon shines, but on dark nights too, when the fireflies flit to and fro, and even when it rains, how beautiful it is!”  This is a famous verse from Sei Shonagon’s The Pillow Book, a fascinating, detailed account of Japanese court life in the eleventh century written by a lady of the court. 

Details

  • Hotaru (fireflies) design
  • Dimensions: 36 x 90 cm (14 x 35 in)
  • Material: 100% cotton
  • Handmade in Japan
  • Care: Wash separately with cold water and mild detergent. Expect mild color loss/bleeding at first. Edges of are seamless and will fray with use. Trim any loose strings with scissors.

About:

Founded in 1990, Kamawanu is a Tokyo-based company dedicated to preserving the craft and culture of tenugui towels. The company specializes in the “Chusen” dyeing technique, which dates back to Meiji-era Japan. Dye is poured on the cloth, soaking each strand of cotton all the way through and creating a finish that does not harden. The resulting patterns have no front or back, making the cloth reversible. Watch the video below to see how each towel is made.