Rene Herse Tenugui Towel, Limited Edition

For centuries, colorful tenugui have been used in Japan as scarves, towels, bandanas, table runners, and for many other purposes. Cyclists use them as ultra-light and fast-drying towels.

Most tenugui today are mass-produced, but a few craftspeople still make them using century-old methods that were originally developed to make lightweight summer kimonos. We’ve worked with a company that was founded in 1899 to make the Rene Herse tenugui. Starting with a hand-cut stencil for the design and locally woven linen/cotton fabric, the dye is applied by hand. The craftsperson uses three blue dyes to create a gradation—each tenugui is slightly different.

The fabric is dyed all the way to the core of each thread, as evidenced by the pattern showing on both sides. This makes the tenugui very soft and absorbent. The more you use and wash it, the softer your tenugui will get. Limited to 100 tenugui.

Pro Tip: Tenugui are not hemmed at the edges. That way, they pack small and dry quickly. Over time, a few threads can unravel, adding to the patina that makes tenugui beautiful.