Amid the summer heat, a tenugui washcloth can be an ideal substitute for a handkerchief or towel -- the traditional Japanese fabrics are thin but absorb large amounts of water and dry quickly.
Many tenugui are arranged in long rows at the Anbo shop in Tokyo's Asakusa district, decorated with patterns and designs including fireworks, morning glory flowers, watermelons and goldfish. The patterns are carefully hand-dyed by craftsmen using a technique called "tenasen," in which different color dyes are used for each pattern frame.
Manager Mana Totsuka said there are more than 1,000 patterns, ranging from the traditional to recently created designs. "Many customers enjoy hanging tenugui at the entrance to their homes and display a different pattern every month," she added.
Tenugui have also become popular as interior decoration, and are often displayed in picture frames. However, they were originally used to wash the body or dry people's hands.
The edges of the cloth are cut without being weaved, which is believed to help the cloth dry more quickly.
"After using them as decorations, try using them as handkerchiefs, tablecloths and to polish shoes, until they wear and tear," Totsuka recommended.
During summer, it helps to carry a tenugui around in your bag. They're larger and longer than handkerchiefs, so you can wrap them around your neck to absorb sweat or wrap them around your shoulders when the air-conditioning is too strong.
Tenugui are more attractive than towels, as they're thinner and less bulky. When riding a motorbike or bicycle, wrapping a tenugui around your head underneath your helmet helps absorb sweat. They can also be placed on your back.
How to wrap a plastic bottle
Totsuka recommends wrapping plastic bottles in tenugui when carrying cold beverages. This prevents moisture on the bottle exterior from dampening other items in your bag.
To wrap a tenugui around a bottle, first fold the edges of the cloth and place the bottle on it (photo 1). Then tie the top left and right corners of the cloth around the bottleneck (photo 2). The bottom of the cloth hanging below the bottle should then be twisted and raised upward (photo 3). Finally, tie the bottom of the cloth into a knot around the bottleneck (photo 4). The twisted bottom of the cloth can be used as a handle to carry the bottle (photo 5).
Shirts cut from a different cloth
Tengui can also be stitched into comfortable shirts and children's clothing with a nice texture. Anbo sells aloha shirts made of six pieces of tenugui each. You can also order a shirt made from a favorite tenugui pattern of your choosing.
"Choosing patterns is lots of fun. I think you'll definitely find one you like at our shop," Totsuka said.
Meaning behind motifs
Many traditional tenugui have lucky patterns, which have contributed to their enduring popularity.
The "seigaiha" pattern (front left in photo) symbolizes unlimited happiness, while another called "asa no ha" (front center) symbolizes the growth of children. A third pattern called "Yoshiwara tsunagi" (front right) symbolizes a good match.
"Tenugui with these patterns make good gifts once you know their meaning," Totsuka said.
Patterns featuring skulls, spiders, dragonflies, eggplants (from left to right at rear) and other designs may look modern, but have actually been symbols of good luck for many years.
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